Indian filmmaker Onir has recently wrapped up shooting for the first film under the ‘My Melbourne’ project, which is being backed by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The project aims to bring together four iconic Indian filmmakers to mentor young filmmakers from Australia and explore themes of diversity in Melbourne.
Co-directed by Onir and Wiliam Duan, the untitled film is one of the four movies to be shot under the ‘My Melbourne’ initiative. All films will be shot in Melbourne and explore themes of diversity such as race, disability, sexuality, and gender.
Onir is a renowned Indian filmmaker, known for his socially relevant and thought-provoking films. Some of his acclaimed works include ‘My Brother…Nikhil’, ‘I Am’, and ‘Chauranga’. Onir expressed his excitement about the ‘My Melbourne’ project and said, “It has been an exciting journey to work with William and the team in Melbourne to make this film happen. The project offers a great opportunity for collaboration and exchange of cultures between India and Australia.”
The ‘My Melbourne’ project was launched by the IFFM in 2020 as a way to promote cultural exchange between India and Australia through cinema. The project offers a platform for young filmmakers in Australia to work with and learn from some of the most iconic Indian filmmakers, including Onir, Rima Das, and others.
The IFFM Director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, stated that the ‘My Melbourne’ project aims to foster cultural exchange and create a diverse and inclusive community through cinema. She said, “The project is a celebration of diversity and multiculturalism, and we hope that it will help to promote understanding and harmony between different communities.”
The other films to be shot under the ‘My Melbourne’ project are ‘Mirror’ by Rima Das, ‘The Last Ride’ by Gauri Dang, and ‘Between the Clouds’ by Pradeep Sarkar. All four films are being produced by the IFFM in collaboration with the Victorian Government, Film Victoria, and the City of Melbourne.
The ‘My Melbourne’ project is an excellent opportunity for Indian and Australian filmmakers to collaborate and create meaningful cinema that reflects the diversity and richness of their respective cultures. The project will not only provide a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their talent but also promote cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is one of the most significant celebrations of Indian cinema in Australia. The festival has been running for over a decade and has showcased some of the best Indian films to Australian audiences. The ‘My Melbourne’ project is a testament to the festival’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and fostering diversity and inclusivity through cinema.
