Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta, Swara Bhasker excited at premiere of their short film 'Sheer Qorma' at IFFM 2021

Diverse and extremely relevant themes ranging from climate change to smashing the patriarchy in our society among others, the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2021 features a vast assortment of films under its programming list this year. Standing tall among 100 more films that have been selected for screening at the festival are Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhasker and Divya Dutta starrer ‘Sheer Qorma’.

Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, ‘Sheer Qorma’ is a story of belonging and acceptance, identity and family, and how it comes together under one roof, as resilient, queer Muslim women and non-binary characters of color, choose to embrace the love that exists beyond their personal beliefs and social moralities. The short film has already entered film festivals in the past such as Gasparilla International Film Festival, Florida Connecticut LGBT Film Festival-Best Short Film for Best Short Film, FRAMELINE (BAFTA Qualifying) for Best Short Film and many more. It was also the opening night film at the TRANSITIONS International Queer Minorities Film Festival, Vienna.

About its selection at the IFFM this year, veteran actress Shabana Azmi said, "Love shouldn't be judged, love shouldn't be restrictive, and love shouldn't be confined. Sheer Qorma is one such tender story of the freedom to choose who we love. We are extremely happy to see our labor of love transcending across borders and getting recognition at a globally celebrated platform like Indian Film Festival Melbourne. In these gloomy times, this has come as a ray of happiness and hope."

Divya Dutta said, "It is such a big deal for Sheer Qorma to be selected at Indian Film Festival Melbourne. I am elated and proud to have our Australian Premiere at IFFM. Sheer Qorma deserves all the accolades and love that it has been rightfully getting because it deserves only the best platforms and I am excited that the Australian audiences will get to see our powerful story of love and acceptance on the big screen in Melbourne. I want to thank Mitu Bhowmick Lange and IFFM for choosing this beautiful film and giving us such a huge platform to share our film."

Swara Bhasker added, "Super excited that Sheer Qorma's Australian Premiere will be at the prestigious Indian Film Festival Melbourne. This is such an honor for I feel Sheer Qorma is a film that needs to be platformed well and celebrated across the globe for it champions a story of love and acceptance that should reach out to most audiences across the world for it is such a universal tale of our times. Given everything going on in our world, this film becomes all the more important and relevant for it reminds us of the power of love and acceptance. I am truly honored to be a part of IFFM with Sheer Qorma. Melbourne, here we come with a lot of love!"

Director Faraz Arif Ansari concluded, "I am ecstatic about Sheer Qorma's Australian Premiere at Indian Film Festival Melbourne. Mitu Bhowmick Lange, the festival director of IFFM, has created such a powerful platform to champion cinema that it is truly an honor to be a part of IFFM's legacy with Sheer Qorma. I am also thrilled that Masterchef Australia's Finalist Kishwar Chowdhury will be presenting the film in Melbourne. Very grateful to Mitu and IFFM for giving us this opportunity to present the film on the big screen and share it with wonderful audiences in Melbourne. I am most certain that Sheer Qorma is going to win many hearts in Melbourne!"