Indian Film Festival of Melbourne to Honor Rishab Shetty with Leadership in Cinema Award

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will confer its Leadership in Cinema Award upon Kannada actor, writer and filmmaker Rishab Shetty at its 2026 edition, recognising a “visionary whose work will continue to redefine the possibilities of contemporary Indian storytelling on the global stage”.

Award and Recognition

In an official release, IFFM stated:

“Over the past few years, Rishab Shetty has established himself as one of the country’s most distinctive cinematic voices through the Kantara franchise, creating stories deeply rooted in the traditions, folklore and spiritual heritage of coastal Karnataka while resonating with audiences across the world. By weaving mythology, faith, ecology and human emotion into visually compelling cinema, his work will demonstrate that stories grounded in local culture can achieve universal appeal.”

Upcoming Projects

Rishab Shetty is currently working on:

• *Jai Hanuman – directed by Prasanth Varma, part of Varma’s Cinematic Universe that began with HanuMan*
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj biopic – to be directed by Sandeep Singh, with Bhumi Pednekar playing the role of Belawadi Mallamma

Festival Details

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will be held from August 13 to August 26.

Speaking about the recognition, Rishab Shetty said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Leadership in Cinema Award from the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Storytelling has always been my way of celebrating our culture, our traditions and the communities that inspire us. It is incredibly meaningful to see stories rooted in our heritage resonate with audiences across the world. I look forward to being in Melbourne and celebrating the incredible diversity and strength of Indian cinema with fellow filmmakers and audiences.”

Kannada Showcase at IFFM 2026

In its 17th edition, the Kannada showcase presents a mix of genres and formats:

Feature Film

• *Ammang Haelbeda* (Don’t Tell Mother) – An emotionally engaging narrative centered on strong human relationships. Directed by Anoop Lokkur, the film premiered at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival and was also screened at the Bengaluru International Film Festival.

Documentary

• *Bhaavi* (The Well) – An insightful and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Short Films

• *Mungarina Ette* (Heralds of the Monsoon) – Explores themes of nature, memory, and human emotion.
• *Pankaja* – Another short selected for the event.

Also read: IFFM 2026 award nominations: Aamir Khan, Mammootty get acting nods, ‘Saiyaara’, ‘Haq’ lead Best Film list