Latest news with #2025Festival
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by Invesco QQQ Unveils Star-Packed 2025 Lineup for October 15–19 Festival
Tickets On Sale July 30th for NYC's Premier Wine & Food Festival Featuring Bobby Flay, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, José Andrés, Alex Guarnaschelli, Martha Stewart, Brooklyn Beckham, Brie Larson, Kwame Onwuachi, Alice Waters and in the Historic Seaport in Partnership with Event Zero Foundation, James Beard Foundation, a21 and Seaport Entertainment Group. NEW YORK, July 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF) today announces its spectacular 18th annual programming lineup in its new home, the Seaport, one of New York City's most historic and dynamic neighborhoods. Now anchored at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport, the annual Festival promises an enhanced guest experience in a dynamic new setting. This move reflects NYCWFF's continued evolution while honoring its long-standing partnership with Food Network and its mission to celebrate the very best in food, drink and entertainment. The 2025 Festival will feature 60+ events and more than 300 of today's top chefs, culinary personalities, mixologists, winemakers, content creators and celebrities—from walk-around tastings and cocktail parties to exclusive dinners, brunches, master classes and the return of FoodieCon®. To purchase tickets, visit This year, the Festival begins a bold new chapter with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten joining as Culinary Host. As part of his role, he'll help spotlight the culinary community at the Seaport's Tin Building and Pier 17 through a series of special dining experiences and chef collaborations. His participation complements a lineup that brings together James Beard Award-winners, Michelin-recognized chefs, beloved Food Network personalities, rising culinary talents and purpose-driven partners across dynamic tastings, panels, pop-ups and more. Since its inception, the Festival has raised more than $14.8 million for charitable causes and this year's Festival will support the Event Zero Foundation's mission to inspire and guide event organizers, businesses and communities toward sustainable practices as well as the James Beard Foundation's mission to lead chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence. "2025 marks a transformative milestone for NYCWFF as we move to the historic Seaport, launching a bold new chapter of immersive, waterfront culinary experiences," said Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Founder and Chief Communications Officer and SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. "This vibrant neighborhood is the perfect backdrop for our reimagined Festival, blending the charm of old New York with the energy of today's culinary innovation. I've wanted to bring the Festival to the Seaport since it opened 15 years ago, and I'm thrilled we're finally here, with all our signature events within two blocks. It feels great to be in a true neighborhood that celebrates creativity, community and culinary excellence. It's a fresh start and an opportunity to reintroduce the Festival in an exciting new way. I'm especially excited to collaborate with my longtime friend Jean-Georges on this new chapter and deeply grateful to the chefs, partners and passionate fans who continue to support us year after year. As always, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits will be the exclusive beverage provider, giving guests the opportunity to taste and sip some of the finest wines and spirits from around the globe." "As stewards of the hospitality industry, a21 is inspired to not just be a part of this celebration of food and community, but to help steer the event to grander prestige," said Brett Friedman, Founder and CEO of a21. "With the addition of the James Beard Foundation and Event Zero Foundation, the event will evolve through its vibrant talent while creating a positive impact throughout the city with an emphasis on sustainability in the culinary industry." Premier Events Return With A Star-Studded Lineup The Festival will kick-off the weekend at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport with A Taste of the Tin Building, hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Gregory Gourdet, and featuring music by celebrity favorite DJ Cassidy. This immersive evening will take place inside Jean-Georges' dazzling culinary marketplace, the Tin Building, rooted in global flavors, cultural discovery and bold creativity, making it the perfect place to launch a weekend of extraordinary taste. The iconic fan-favorite that has served as the cornerstone of NYCWFF for over 16 years, Blue Moon Burger Bash returns, hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Beckham, presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats. The festival's iconic burger bacchanal, amped up in partnership with features the best burgers across the boroughs, plus a special hot dog recipe created by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Beckham's Cloud23 hot sauce. The Festival's marquee slate continues with the fan-favorite Grand Tasting, the ultimate tour of NYC's best bites and restaurants, Southern Glazer's vast selection of wines and spirits and Food Network personalities. And because there are not enough hours in a day to feast your senses on everything at Grand Tasting, this year the Festival is offering a new Grand Tasting evening session hosted by Food Network star chefs Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson with the option to add on VIP Experience to a special steak focused event at Carne Mare hosted by Andrew Carmellini. An incredible variety of themed tastings and celebrations follow, including Asian Night Market hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Jean-Georges Vongerichten; A Taste of Tomorrow, an elegant evening spotlighting James Beard Foundation Award–winning chefs and fine wines, hosted by Marcus Samuelsson; Caviar, Cocktails & Champagne hosted by Antonia Lofaso at the WSA Building; and Catch of the Day, a seafood-centric feast presented by Modelo and hosted by Andrew Zimmern that pays homage to the host venue's history as the site of the original Fulton Fish Market. Red sauce lovers can rejoice at Sunday Supper, presented by Peroni and hosted by influencers "The Pasta Queen" Nadia Caterina Munno and Lil Mo Mozzarella. Whether you're craving elevated luxury or street food swagger, NYCWFF's signature events promise unforgettable moments for every appetite. Creator Connect: FoodieCon® 2025 Back by popular demand, this year's FoodieCon® — a specially curated space where social culinary creators take center stage — features live demos, panels, discussions and tastings led by tastemakers including "The Pasta Queen" Nadia Caterina Munno, Olivia Tiedemann, Brian Can't Stop Eating, Karissa Dumbacher, The Golden Balance, Cheffin with Zach, The Vegan Bubby Elle and more. Guests will have facetime with their favorite foodie creators in an engaging format with bites provided by NYC's trendiest restaurants. Cookbooks IRL 2025 also introduces a host of exciting cookbook authors, from legendary culinarians to unexpected fresh faces. The year's most talked-about cookbook authors and culinary storytellers will be hosting exclusive signings, menus and demo-led tastings inspired by the books themselves. Confirmed titles include Party People by Brie Larson and Courtney McBroom, Entertaining by Martha Stewart, I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir by Keith McNally, Russ & Daughters by Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, Parm to Table by Christian Petroni, The Blue Food Cookbook by Andrew Zimmern, Padma's All American by Padma Lakshmi and A School Lunch Revolution: A Cookbook by Alice Waters. An Elevated Table: Exclusive Intimate Dinners This year, NYCWFF debuts its most exclusive dinner series yet—a handpicked collection of one-night-only culinary experiences hosted by the world's most celebrated chefs. These intimate evenings offer rare access to top talent over bespoke menus and expert wine and spirit pairings provided by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Highlights include Alice Waters and Dan Kluger, Paul Carmichael and Kwame Onwuachi, Michael White and Andrew Zimmern, Daniel Boulud and George Ruan, and a once-in-a-lifetime dinner for 12 with José Andrés. Additional exclusive dining experiences feature Rachael Ray, Eric Ripert, Tony Shalhoub, Vikas Khanna, Alain Ducasse, Alex Guarnaschelli and more. The festival's Headquarter Hotel centrally located within walking distance to the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport, The Wall Street Hotel, provides attendees with luxurious digs for the duration of the festivities. The Bank of America Ticket Presale runs through Tuesday, July 29 for eligible cardholders. Bank of America is the official bank partner of NYCWFF and cardholders can access special benefits including priority entry and exclusive discounts at General Tickets On Sale: Wednesday, July 30 at Follow @NYCWFF Instagram, Facebook and X, and @NYCWineFoodFestival on TikTok. For more information, please email nycwff@ Images and interviews are available upon request. Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation. Over the past 17 years, the Festival has generated more than $14.8 million in net proceeds for its charitable causes. Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival. In November 2022, BizBash named the Festival the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in New York for the 10th year in a row. More information on the Festival can be found at Follow @NYCWFF on Facebook, X and Instagram and on TikTok at @NYCWineFoodFestival. Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is the world's preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 47 U.S. markets and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its Southern Glazer's Travel Retail Sales & Export Division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer's was recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer's urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram @sgwinespirits. a21 a21 is a full-service live experience agency, specializing in event operations, production, marketing, corporate sales, and brand activations for live experiences. Founded in 2006, a21's portfolio includes internationally recognized events and festivals in South Florida and throughout the US: Food Network South Beach & New York City Wine & Food Festivals, Sunfest, Palm Beach Wine & Food Festival, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Heritage Fire, and Whiskies of the World National Tours, AMP's suite of Art Fairs, International Wine & Spirits Competition and more. Learn more at *Invesco is not affiliated with the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival or any of the individuals, brands or companies mentioned; nor should this be construed as an endorsement for any of the individuals, brands or companies mentioned. View source version on Contacts nycwff@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The best EIF theatre shows - Scotsman critic Joyce McMillan previews the 2025 programme
Scotsman critic Joyce McMillan picks her theatre highlights from this year's EIF programme Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Make It Happen There's no doubt about the big theatre ticket of the Edinburgh International Festival 2025. Based on an idea proposed by the actor Brian Cox - who will appear in the show as 18th century economist Adam Smith - James Graham's new play Make It Happen is a study of the 2008 collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which almost brought the entire global financial system to its knees. Co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep, the play features a cast of 16, led by award-winning actor Sandy Grierson as Fred Goodwin, the overreaching CEO who became a byword for an age of devastating financial arrogance and recklessness; and its subject could hardly chime better with Nicola Benedetti's 2025 Festival theme of 'the truth we seek'. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 1-9 August; previews 30-31 July. Faustus in Africa! First created in 1995, Faustus In Africa! - by the legendary Handspring Puppet Company of Cape Town - poses urgent questions about the reckless deals we make with the devil for profit and pleasure, despite the catastrophic costs of colonialism, and of the climate emergency. Founded more than 40 years ago, Handspring has become a world leader in theatre puppetry, taking the art-form to previously unimagined heights; this is the company that gave us the mighty horses for the UK National Theatre's War Horse, and that inspired Baxter Theatre's beautiful 2023 Fringe hit The Life And Times Of Walter K. Here, director William Kentridge and a seven-strong company join forces with musicians Warrick Sony and the late James Phillips to offer a searing take on the Faust legend, and one which could hardly be more timely, in 2025 Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, 20-23 August. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cutting the Tightrope In the politics of our time, the term 'freedom of speech' is routinely used and abused as never before; but to judge by the reviews it attracted when it premiered at the Arcola in London last year, this collection of speedily-written new short plays on the theme will give little comfort to those who believe, with US Vice-President JD Vance, that the main threat to freedom comes from the political left. Made yet more topical by the colossal controversy surrounding Bob Vylan's appearance at Glastonbury, this collection tackles the issues involved head-on; and seeks to nail the growing nervousness of arts organisation about tackling subjects on which debate has become too hot to handle. Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, 14-17 August. Make It Happen
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NY Film Festival Sets ‘After the Hunt' as Opening Night Movie
The 2025 New York Film Festival has selected Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt as its opening night film. The movie — which stars Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield — will receive its North American premiere at New York's Alice Tully Hall on Friday, Sept. 26. More from The Hollywood Reporter Venice Strikes Back: Alberto Barbera on His Powerhouse 2025 Festival Lineup A Cornered Julia Roberts Confronts Dark Past in 'After The Hunt' Trailer Taylor Kitsch to Star in 'Eleven Days' Prison Hostage Thriller After the Hunt, from Amazon MGM Studios, follows Roberts' Yale philosophy professor Alma whose personal and professional lives are disrupted after her PhD candidate protégée Maggie (Edebiri) accuses Alma's longtime friend and colleague Henrik (Andrew Garfield) of sexual assault. Exploring the murkiness of contemporary morality, the film sees Alma navigating minefields of gender, sexuality, race and institutional power, as she attempts to reconcile her choices with past demons. Directed by Guadagnino from a script by Nora Garrett, After the Hunt also stars Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny. After the Hunt just earlier this week was selected for the 2025 Venice Film Festival and is set to be released in theaters in New York and L.A. on Oct. 10 before expanding on Oct. 17. Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name, Bones and All and Queer all screened as part of past New York Film Festivals. 'I have always found the New York Film Festival to be an arbiter of global cinema. For over 60 years it has been a festival that makes audiences open their minds and hearts to the most daring and compelling global cinema from both established and emerging filmmakers,' Guadagnino said in a statement. 'To be invited to open the 63rd edition is a tremendous responsibility and honor. I, alongside the incredible cast and crew and our companions at Amazon MGM Studios who made After the Hunt possible, am elated and thrilled to bring to New York our tale of morality and power. My most heartfelt thanks to Dennis Lim and the singular NYFF team.' NYFF artistic director Lim added, 'We are excited to open this year's festival with Luca Guadagnino's latest, which confirms his status as one of the most versatile risk-takers working today. Brilliantly acted and crafted, After the Hunt is something rare in contemporary cinema: a complex, grown-up movie with a lot on its mind that also happens to be a deeply satisfying piece of entertainment.' The 63rd New York Film Festival is set run from Sept. 26-Oct. 13. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best Solve the daily Crossword
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Stirling Photography Festival launches it's 2025
Stirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Festival opens with four exhibitions in August and events run through September with highlights including talks and exhibitions from contemporary photographers Ron O'Donnell, Simon Murphy and Jennifer Charlton and the launch of the Stirling 900 commemorative photobook. In partnership with Street Level Photoworks of Glasgow, the organisers are honoured to host internationally acclaimed photographic artist Ron O'Donnell in what will be his first exhibition in the city of his birth. The Festival will open with his exhibition at The Tolbooth from Saturday August 2 until Saturday September 27. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ron was born in the Raploch area of Stirling in 1952 and although he has exhibited in collections all over the world, this will be the first time he has held an exhibition in his hometown. His return marks a poignant chapter in a career which has spanned five decades, multiple continents and both analogue and digital revolutions in photography. Stirling photographer Ron O'Donnell returns to his roots for the city's 2025 Festival. His exhibition includes this cardboard reconstruction of the lounge of his childhood home in Raploch. Photo by Michael Prince. Encouraged early on by art teachers and inspired by the city's Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Ron began his photographic journey as a trainee at the University of Stirling's Department of Education. He went on to study photography at Napier Technology College in Edinburgh (now Edinburgh Napier University) where he is now a senior lecturer in photography. Ron is celebrated for his vibrant and humorous constructed images which often explore themes of myth, allegory, identity, mortality and politics. He said: 'It's a privilege and a real pleasure to be invited to participate in the 2025 Stirling Photography Festival. As someone born and raised in Stirling, it feels like a homecoming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I began my journey in Stirling so it's wonderful to return to the place where the seeds of my creative life were sown.' Photographer Jennifer Charlton with the photograph which won her Scotland's most prestigious portrait photography prize - the MPB Scottish Portrait Award (Colour) 2024. Photo credit - her son Finn Charlton He added: 'It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that I exhibit my work in my birthplace. For this occasion, a wee retrospective felt appropriate — a journey through images from early work to the present. 'The exhibition includes street photographs of Edinburgh taken during the 1970s, capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the city at that time. Through medium-format interior images of Edinburgh's shops, workshops, and factories — spaces that speak of the city's Industrial character and social fabric. 'The collection then moves toward more constructed imagery, culminating in digitally composed works that reflect a shift in both technique and vision over the decades. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Together, the work traces an evolving dialogue and my own changing approach to the art of photography.' Award-winning photographer Simon Murphy will exhibit his documentary work on the community of Govanhill, Glasgow at the 2025 Stirling Photography Festival. Photo Credit - Beth Murphy. Stirling Photography Festival Creative Director and founder Janie Meikle Bland said: 'We're looking forward to hosting our eighth Festival and are delighted to have secured three amazing exhibitors who will each bring their own unique perspective to our Festival and its 2025 theme of 'Beyond'. 'It's wonderful to welcome such well-regarded contemporary photographers to Stirling this year. They are fitting examples of the exceptional artists we bring to the city as part of the festival. 'And it's particularly exciting to have the chance to host Ron O'Donnell, a true pioneer of narrative and constructed photography, and to celebrate his creative legacy rooted in the heart of Stirling in his first ever exhibition here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She added: 'The Festival has gone from strength to strength since we started in 2018 with our Stirling Youth Photo Fest and last year was a major success with lots of support as we marked Stirling's 900th year. year. We are delighted to be part of Stirling's celebrated cultural scene. 'This year we are looking to go further with our theme of 'Beyond' and more details of our events, workshops, exhibitions and talks – which are all free – will be unveiled over the coming weeks.' Simon Murphy's exhibition takes place at Stirling's Macrobert Arts Centre from mid-August until mid-September. The display will feature some of his award-winning documentary photography work on the community of Govanhill in Glasgow's southside. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simon has been documenting people in Govanhill for the last 16 years with the resulting images giving an insight into one of Scotland's most diverse areas which is a mixing pot of cultures and ethnicities. He says: 'The project is about community and diversity. Govanhill is not without its problems, but it's also a place where people come together and share culture and experience. 'I'm really excited to bring part of this project to Stirling for the Festival and see if it will connect outside of Glasgow. Govanhill traditionally was a place where people arrived in Scotland from all over the globe and it still is a melting pot of diversity and culture. 'Personally, I feel the themes of 'Belonging and Connection' are universal. Especially in times where fear and exclusion seem to be a driving force, it's important to open up and consider life from other's perspectives. These portraits won't give any answers but my hope is that they might trigger small reflections and maybe even lower a few barriers.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simon is a lecturer at Glasgow Kelvin College and one of the Festival's volunteers Caitlin Jardine is a student of his who was instrumental in securing his exhibition. All Stirling Photography Festival organisers are volunteers and part of the organisation's aim is to empower young people to contribute to festival programming, build their professional networks and gain experience in programming and curating. Meanwhile Jennifer Charlton (BIPP Scottish and Northern Ireland Sports Photographer of the Year) - who also worksin the male dominated arena of boxing - will be exhibiting her portrait work at the Barracks Conference Centre in Stirling from Monday August 4 until Friday September 24. Last year Jennifer made history as the first woman and digital image to win Scotland's most prestigious portrait photography prize - the MPB Scottish Portrait Award Winner (Colour) 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The winning photograph of a swimmer named John is one of a series from Jennifer's BA Hons degree titled 'A Hidden Community.' It depicts volunteers who each shared their stories and portrays how we live in a hidden community where mental health doesn't discriminate. Jennifer said: 'It's a real privilege to exhibit `A Hidden Community' at Stirling Photography Festival. This city holds a special place in the project—especially through the portrait of John, a student here whose image helped fulfil my dream of winning Scottish Photographer of the Year.' She added: 'I'd heard positive feedback about the Festival before being invited to take part and to be showing my work alongside other photographers such as Simon Murphy is a 'pinch me' moment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Simon was a huge inspiration during my degree when I was learning how to be a portrait photographer from a sports photographer. This is one step towards me having my work next to one of my idols. I believe if you find good role models in life you are already half-way there.' Also launching in August is the Stirling 900 photography book accompanied by an exhibition at the city's Church of the Holy Rude showcasing images from the book. Stirling Photography Festival's programme of free events runs throughout September and more details will be published during August on the website - The Festival is supported by long-term partners The Barracks Conference Centre, Go Forth Stirling BID, The Tolbooth, Macrobert Arts Centre and the Art Collection at the University of Stirling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meanwhile sponsorship from local businesses has ensured the delivery of an exceptional programme of events and exhibitions. This year's sponsors include The Robertson Trust, Untitled Barber Club, the Meadowpark Bar and Kitchen, Vialii Gardens, the Rotary Club of the Carse of Stirling and Nettl of Stirling plus trade sponsors Gulabi and Analogue Wonderland.
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First Post
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Aamir Khan to headline the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as chief guest amid 'Sitaare Zameen Par' success
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has announced that celebrated actor, filmmaker and cultural icon Aamir Khan will attend the 2025 Festival as its official Chief Guest. Marking the 16th edition of the Festival, Khan's appearance will include a special retrospective celebrating his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema — culminating in a spotlight event on his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par. Spanning over four decades, Aamir Khan's acclaimed career has delivered some of Indian cinema's most influential and inclusive works — including Taare Zameen Par, Dangal, Lagaan, PK and Secret Superstar. His latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, continues this legacy with the story of a basketball coach tasked with community service, who finds purpose mentoring a team of neurodivergent adults. The film has resonated widely with audiences, hailed for its heart and humanity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD IFFM 2025 will honour Khan's artistic impact with a specially curated selection of films that reflect his bold, socially conscious storytelling. A highlight of the retrospective will be a screening of Sitaare Zameen Par, followed by a live conversation with Aamir Khan, director RS Prasanna, and Aparna Purohit, CEO of Aamir Khan Films, offering audiences unique insight into the creative process behind the film. Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM said, 'Aamir Khan is not just a cinematic legend but also someone whose work has always reflected sensitivity, depth, and a fearless commitment to storytelling. We are truly honoured to welcome him as our Chief Guest. His presence will undoubtedly elevate the festival experience for audiences and filmmakers alike. He is an artist who has consistently used cinema as a force for social change, and his journey continues to inspire generations. His work on Sitaare Zameen Par is a beautiful example of inclusive storytelling — filled with empathy, joy, and honesty.' Aamir Khan said, 'I'm humbled and thrilled to be a part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It's a festival that truly celebrates the spirit of Indian cinema in all its diversity and richness. I look forward to engaging with audiences, sharing some of my most cherished work, and being part of conversations that celebrate the power of film. With Sitaare Zameen Par, we've tried to tell a story that embraces inclusivity and neurodivergence with sensitivity and heart — and I'm grateful that the film has resonated with so many. I'm excited to share this journey with Melbourne and shine a light on the stories that matter.' The Honourable Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria said: 'There's something for all families to enjoy at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This year, Victoria is so proud to welcome one of India's most loved and respected actors - Aamir Khan - and celebrate his body of work. He is not just an icon for millions but is such a strong voice for the values of equality and inclusivity that we treasure here in Victoria.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said: 'Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a much-loved event on our cultural calendar, and a celebration of screen excellence, storytelling and community. The Allan Labor Government is proud to support the festival, which continues to present a packed program of screenings and special events and attract global stars like Aamir Khan each year.' The 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs from 14–24 August 2025, with a dynamic program of screenings, panels, masterclasses, and cultural events. Aamir Khan's retrospective will be a major highlight of this year's celebrations.
