Broken Hill is set to roll out the red carpet for the National Indian Film Festival of Australia from this Friday, while celebrating a three-year partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW.

Heralding an historic milestone for NIFFA - which has swept Sydney, Canberra, Geelong, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and Dubbo so far this season - the critical support will cement ties between NSW and India through this cultural, community and commercial exchange.

NIFFA and Destination NSW are set to work together for the next three years to strengthen the visibility of Sydney and regional NSW through the festival platform, while building deeper engagement with Indian and South Asian audiences, communities, filmmakers and industry stakeholders across Australia.

As part of that journey, NIFFA 2027 will celebrate NSW as its Focus State across Australia and India, showcasing the state’s long and rich screen relationship with India and highlighting what NSW offers as a production and creative base - from crews, facilities, and locations to institutional support.

NSW is already home to the majority of more than $90 million worth of India-centric Australian screen stories currently in development; many backed by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and NSW based private investors and producers.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: "NIFFA has grown into one of NSW's most exciting cultural events, bringing Indian cinema to audiences right across the state, from Sydney to regional NSW.

“As the first and only national celebration of Indian film, it's a drawcard that puts NSW on the map as a destination of choice.

"And now, we're taking it to Broken Hill. That's what great cultural events do, they don't just stay in the city. They travel and they drive real economic benefit for regional NSW."

NIFFA festival director and filmmaker Anupam Sharma said: ”Indian cinema has become one of the strongest bridges between Australia and India, across culture, community, tourism and commerce.

“NSW has led this relationship for decades, and this three-year support from Destination NSW gives that legacy and a platform like NIFFA, a clear future.

“It is especially meaningful that this announcement comes as we open in Broken Hill, with regional NSW now very much part of our migration and cinematic story.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said: “Broken Hill has the great honour of opening NIFFA this week for the first time ever, bringing a unique celebration of Indian film to our community in the heart of regional NSW.

“This new partnership with Destination NSW will provide a boost to Broken Hill, supporting local businesses and jobs and the night-time economy. We are excited to welcome visitors from across the region to experience this wonderful showcase of Indian stories.”

The curated program of contemporary Indian cinema will be hosted at Broken Hill’s Palace Hotel.

NIFFA will simultaneously open this weekend in Alice Springs, before screenings in Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Click here for screening details.