The 17th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 came to an end on August 23 with Tannishtha Chatterjee’s directorial ‘Full Plate’. Starring Kirti Kulhari in the lead, the film was the festival’s Closing Night film.
Actor Sharib Hashmi, who also stars in the film, attended the screening in person and presented ‘Full Plate’ to audiences in Australia.
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A homemaker finds her own voice
‘Full Plate’ follows a homemaker who has a natural talent for cooking. As she moves through the demands of family life, food slowly becomes more than part of her daily routine. It becomes a way for her to express herself and claim her own identity.
The film looks at the pressure women face within families and society. It focuses on the <a href="https://comicvibe.com/new-hot-wheels-collectible-for-2027-will-make-every-rx/” title=”New Hot Wheels Collectible for 2027 Will Make Every RX”>everyday choices and compromises involved in trying to find an individual voice while dealing with expectations to fit in.
Tannishtha Chatterjee’s film ends the festival
For Chatterjee, having ‘Full Plate’ as the closing film carried particular meaning. Its IFFM screening brought the film’s festival journey to a close while keeping its central themes of identity, individuality and choice at the centre of the conversation.
The film uses the familiar setting of a home and the simple subject of food to explore questions about a woman’s place within family and society.
What IFFM said about the closing film
IFFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said the choice reflected the festival’s aim of presenting different kinds of Indian stories.
“IFFM has always tried to create a space where different kinds of Indian stories can find an audience, and ‘Full Plate’ is a film that fits beautifully into that spirit,” she said.
Lange also spoke about the film’s focus on women, family and identity. “Tannishtha has approached a familiar world with a very personal perspective, and the film opens up conversations around women, family, identity and the expectations placed on them,” she added.
She said the film was chosen for Closing Night because the festival wanted to finish with a story that could continue to raise questions after the screening.
“It felt right to have ‘Full Plate’ as part of our Closing Night because we wanted to end the festival with a film that stays with the audience even after the screening is over,” Lange said.
The festival concluded with Chatterjee’s film and the Melbourne presentation by Hashmi, marking the end of the 2026 edition on August 23.
- Full Plate
- IFFM
- Kirti Kulhari
