Imtiaz Ali calls it a 'proud moment' as 'My Melbourne' wins best film at UK Asian Film Festival

IANS May 12, 2025 307 views

Imtiaz Ali, along with fellow directors Onir, Rima Das, and Kabir Khan, is thrilled as their anthology film 'My Melbourne' wins the Best Film award at the UK Asian Film Festival. The film celebrates diverse stories of identity and cross-cultural connections. Director Onir and Kabir Khan also shared their excitement and pride, emphasizing cinema's role in bridging cultures. This win marks a significant achievement for Indian cinema on the global stage, highlighting the universal appeal of heartfelt storytelling.

"It’s a proud moment for all of us." - Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali calls it a 'proud moment' as 'My Melbourne' wins best film at UK Asian Film Festival
Mumbai, May 12: Imtiaz Ali, Onir, Rima Das, and Kabir Khan's collaborative anthology film ‘My Melbourne’ has won the prestigious Best Film award at the 27th UK Asian Film Festival.

Key Points

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My Melbourne wins Best Film at UK Asian Film Festival

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Highlights diversity and cultural connections

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Features directors Imtiaz Ali, Onir, Rima Das, Kabir Khan

The victory marks a proud moment for Indian cinema on a global platform, celebrating stories of diversity, identity, and cross-cultural connections through the lens of four acclaimed Indian filmmakers. The anthology ‘My Melbourne’ secured two top honours at the 2025 Tongues on Fire Flame Awards — Best Film and the Special Festival Award for ‘Longing and Belonging.’

Speaking about the win, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali shared, “Working on My Melbourne was a deeply enriching experience. To see it being honoured in this way reaffirms the importance of stories that explore human emotions beyond geographical limits. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

Director Onir, who helmed one of the segments in the anthology, added, “This project was close to my heart because it gave us the opportunity to tell stories that matter, stories that cross boundaries and touch the universal emotions of longing and belonging. I'm humbled and proud to be part of this beautiful journey.”

Kabir Khan expressed, “Cinema has the power to bridge cultures and foster empathy, and My Melbourne is a testament to that. I’m truly grateful to have been part of a project that brings such meaningful narratives to life and gets recognized on a global platform.”

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and producer of 'My Melbourne', also mentioned they feel incredibly honoured and grateful for this recognition. “My Melbourne is a labour of love that celebrates authentic diverse voices and lived experiences. These awards are not just wins for the film, but for every story of identity, resilience, and community it represents.”

“My Melbourne” is a bold cross-cultural anthology featuring four distinct stories that delve into themes of identity and the search for belonging. The film brings together Indian directors and emerging Australian filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds, creating a powerful cinematic conversation around multiculturalism and personal connection.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
What a fantastic achievement! 🌟 Indian cinema is truly making waves globally. Loved how Imtiaz Ali mentioned stories beyond geographical limits - that's the power of good storytelling. More power to our filmmakers!
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Rahul S.
While I appreciate the recognition, I wish our filmmakers would focus more on stories rooted in India rather than diaspora experiences. We have so many untold narratives right here in our villages and cities.
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Ananya P.
So proud of our filmmakers! 🎬 This win shows how Indian cinema is evolving beyond just song-and-dance routines to meaningful storytelling. The theme of 'longing and belonging' resonates with so many NRIs and global citizens.
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Vikram J.
Interesting to see Kabir Khan talking about bridging cultures when his recent films have been quite patriotic. Good to see filmmakers exploring different creative avenues. Hope this gets a proper release in India too!
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Shreya M.
The collaboration between Indian and Australian filmmakers is what excites me most! When creative minds from different cultures come together, magic happens. Can't wait to watch this on OTT platforms 🤞
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Nikhil R.
Recognition at UK Asian Film Festival is great, but when will we see these films getting mainstream attention in India? Our audience deserves to see this quality content beyond just film festivals.

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Imtiaz Ali My Melbourne UK Asian Film Festival Indian Cinema Diversity