The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 has announced its winners, with filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty securing the Best Director award for his work on Kantara. The festival also paid tribute to veteran Bollywood star Rekha, presenting her with a special honor recognizing her excellence in cinema.

Rishab Shetty Wins Best Director for Kantara

Rishab Shetty's directorial achievement with Kantara earned him one of the festival's top honors. The film, which has resonated widely with audiences, added another major accolade to its growing list of recognitions as Shetty took home the Best Director prize at IFFM 2026.

Rekha Honored for Excellence in Cinema

Iconic actor Rekha was celebrated at the festival with an honor for excellence in cinema. The recognition marked a tribute to her enduring contribution to Indian film, placing her among the headline honorees of this year's edition of the Melbourne-based festival.

A Celebration of Indian Cinema in Melbourne

IFFM has established itself as a prominent platform honoring Indian cinema on the international stage. The 2026 edition continued that tradition, bringing together filmmakers, performers, and industry figures to recognize outstanding work across categories. The announcement of the full winners list drew attention from film fans and industry watchers alike, with Shetty's directing win and Rekha's special honor standing out as defining moments of the ceremony.

Full Winners List Announced

The festival revealed its complete list of winners for 2026, spanning multiple categories that celebrate the breadth of Indian filmmaking. The honors reflect IFFM's ongoing mission to spotlight cinematic excellence and connect Indian film with global audiences through its annual Melbourne event.

With Kantara's continued awards momentum and Rekha's celebrated recognition, IFFM 2026 delivered a ceremony that honored both contemporary filmmaking success and a storied cinematic legacy.