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”.

In an official release, the IFFM said, “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.”

Rishab is currently working on Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma. The movie is part of Varma’s Cinematic Universe, which began with HanuMan. Rishab will also work on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj biopic, to be directed by Sandeep Singh. Bhumi Pednekar will play the role of Belawadi Mallamma in the movie.

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.”

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In the 17th edition, the Kannada showcase presents a mix of genres and formats. Leading the line-up is Ammang Haelbeda (Don’t Tell Mother), a feature film that promises an emotionally engaging narrative centered on strong human relationships. The Anoop Lokkur directorial, premiered at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival, was also screened at the Bengaluru International Film Festival. Joining it is the documentary Bhaavi (The Well), which attempts to offer audiences an insightful and thought-provoking cinematic experience

The festival will also present two Kannada short films that showcase emerging voices in regional cinema. Mungarina Ette (Heralds of the Monsoon) explores themes such as nature, memory, and human emotion, while Pankaja is another short selected for the event.