Western Australia is looking to strengthen its ties with one of the world’s biggest screen industries, with the newly established West Australian Indian Film Council officially launched in Perth.
The West Australian Indian Film Council (WAIFC) was formally launched on Friday by WA Premier Roger Cook, with the independent not-for-profit organisation aiming to create stronger links between Western Australia and India across film, television, streaming, digital media and the wider creative industries.
It’s a relationship that already has an interesting piece of cinema history behind it.
Indian film pioneer Fearless Nadia was actually born Mary Ann Evans in Perth in 1908 before moving to India as a child and eventually becoming one of the country’s most recognisable early screen stars. More than a century later, WAIFC hopes to build on that connection by creating practical opportunities between the two industries.
West Australian Indian Film Council Builds A New Screen Bridge
WAIFC Chair and Director Nilesh Makwana said Western Australia’s geographic position gives the state a unique opportunity to become a gateway between Australia, India and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Makwana pointed to everything from co-productions and filming locations to talent exchange, education, investment, festivals and cultural partnerships as potential areas of collaboration.
“We want to build meaningful connections between these two creative ecosystems and create practical opportunities for collaboration.”
The Council plans to work with producers, filmmakers, creative practitioners, educators, government, festivals, businesses and community organisations, while also supporting delegations, networking opportunities and the international promotion of Western Australia’s screen capabilities.
India’s Consul General to Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Kajari Biswas, said film and storytelling could play an important role in deepening the relationship between the two regions.
“Film and storytelling have a unique ability to bring people together, deepen cultural understanding and create new opportunities for collaboration.”
Biswas said India’s film sector and Western Australia’s growing screen capabilities provided further potential for partnership between the two creative communities.
A Significant Screen Opportunity
According to figures included in the Council’s launch announcement, India’s film and entertainment industry generated an estimated US$5.91 billion in 2025, with more than 2,000 films produced each year across more than 30 languages.
Western Australia’s cultural and creative industries, meanwhile, contributed $6.2 billion to the state economy in 2024, while the WA Government has invested $290 million in Perth Film Studios and its operations.
WAIFC hopes bringing those strengths together will open pathways for international production, investment and collaboration while supporting local jobs, retaining skilled graduates and creatives, developing WA intellectual property and showcasing the state to Indian audiences and industry.
The launch is expected to be the first step in a longer program of industry partnerships, delegations and cultural initiatives between Western Australia and India.
WAIFC describes its mission simply: Connect. Facilitate. Advocate.
Image: Simone McGurk, WAIFC Chair Nilesh Makwana, WA Premier Roger Cook and Consul General of India Kajari Biswas at the WAIFC launch in Perth. Photo: Liang Xu.
