Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Onir and Rima Das' Anthology Movie 'My Melbourne' To Open 2024 IFFM

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) "My Melbourne", an anthology featuring shorts by filmmakers Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Onir and Rima Das, will serve as opening movie at 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).

2024 edition of film gala, to be held in Melbourne from August 15 to 25, will showcase a diverse range of films that celebrate rich tapestry of Indian cinema, organisers said in a statement.

"My Melbourne" is an Indo-Australian collaboration, supported by Victorian government’s screen agency Vic Screen and Screen Australia.

Inspired by true incidents, anthology movie is centered around city of Melbourne with each short film exploring mes of race, gender, sexuality, and disability.

shorts include "Emma" by Das, "Jules" by Ali, "Nandini" by Onir and "Setara" by Khan.

Das, whose film is based around me of disability, said she has tried to keep it "auntic and real".

"We worked with a mix of senior actors and relatively new actors, including members of deaf community. I am happy with outcome and look forward to seeing how audience receives film. I hope it initiates dialogue about how we can be more inclusive in all walks of life, including art and welcome diverse perspectives and narratives especially from those living with disabilities," she ded.

Ali said he was moved by story of two very different yet displaced women in Melbourne.

"To bring film to life with most bright and diverse group of young, local minds, turned out to be a huge learning experience for me. I could share my insights and test my ideas freely with different creative voices that comprised team and all of us came out richer from wonderful 'My Melbourne' experience. Hope you like our piece - 'Jules' in My Melbourne," he said.

Onir said “My Melbourne" is a film that celebrates what Melbourne stands for.

"(It is) a space that embraces diversity and celebrates inclusion. film captures this essence through various migrant experiences," he ded.

Khan said his film explores story of Setara, who escaped from Afghanistan to Melbourne.

"True stories portraying triumph of human spirit always have a special appeal for me. Setara's unique escape from Afghanistan to Melbourne and her finding a sense of belonging through cricket me this a story I h to tell.

"Working with local emerging creatives and wonderful girls' cricket teams of Melbourne me this an even more auntic and wonderful experience," he said.