West Australian Indian Film Council Invites Indian Screen Partners, Building On Its University Ties 

West Australian Indian Film Council (WAIFC) Founder and Chair Nilesh Makwana traveled to the University of Western Australia’s Mumbai campus on September 18, 2026, to deliver a memento marking the council’s Perth launch to representatives of UWA’s India operations, extending a formal invitation to Indian producers, studios and streaming platforms to explore projects in Western Australia.

The invitation builds on the Australia India Audiovisual Co-production Agreement, signed in Mumbai, which opened a formal pathway for official co-productions between the two countries, with project approvals resting with Screen Australia and India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Makwana tied the invitation to the state’s recent investment in production capacity, pointing to Perth Film Studios. 

“Western Australia is investing in its screen industry as part of building a more diverse economy,” Makwana said. “Our contribution is to help connect that investment and our creative talent with Indian partners who can see opportunities to work together.”

The council said it welcomes inquiries from regional cinema and independent producers as well as larger studios, broadcasters and streaming platforms, offering to help connect interested parties with local producers, practitioners, institutions and agencies.

“For us, success would mean relationships that lead to good projects, paid work and reasons to collaborate again,” Makwana said. “That takes time, trust and an understanding of what filmmakers on both sides need.”

WAIFC describes its own role as raising awareness of that pathway and making introductions, rather than approving projects itself.

According to WAIFC, the council’s Founding Partners for this initiative include the University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University, giving WAIFC an education and research arm alongside its industry and diplomatic connections. UWA’s contribution was formally recognized with a WAIFC Inaugural Launch Recognition award, presented to Vice Chancellor Amit Chakma.

Makwana said the relationship the council wants to build runs in both directions, connecting Western Australian filmmakers and graduates with opportunities in India as well.

“We want an Indian producer to find a useful connection here, and a WA filmmaker or graduate to find a meaningful connection in India,” he said. “Stronger international relationships can help our talent build careers from WA and give both creative communities more opportunities.”

Indian and Western Australian producers, industry associations, government bodies, educational institutions and cultural organizations have been invited to contact WAIFC directly with a project outline or area of interest.

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