Perth Deepens India Ties with New Film Council and Acclaimed Indian Dining
Perth is cementing its place as Australia's gateway to India with two significant developments this season: the formal launch of a new screen industry council dedicated to Australia-India creative collaboration, and growing recognition for the city's evolving Indian dining scene, where a standout modern restaurant is winning over critics and food lovers alike.
🎬 West Australian Indian Film Council Opens a Creative Bridge Between Perth and India
Western Australia has taken a formal step to deepen its ties with the Indian screen industry, with the official launch of the West Australian Indian Film Council (WAIFC) on Friday 11 September 2026, inaugurated by Premier Roger Cook. The independent not-for-profit council aims to build lasting connections between WA and India across film, television, streaming, digital media and the broader creative industries. WAIFC Chair Nilesh Makwana pointed to Perth's unique geographical advantage — the city sits closer to Mumbai than Sydney does — as a strategic asset for fostering a greater Australian role in the India creative relationship. The council is designed to serve as a connector and catalyst, bringing together producers, filmmakers, educators, businesses, festivals and government to create practical collaboration opportunities covering co-productions, location scouting, talent exchange, education, investment and cultural partnerships. The launch event drew senior government, diplomatic and screen industry representatives, reflecting the wide institutional backing the initiative already enjoys. A remarkable footnote to the occasion: Fearless Nadia, one of Indian cinema's pioneering stars, was born Mary Ann Evans in Perth in 1908 before moving to India, making WA's connection to Indian film history over a century old. The council hopes to build on that legacy, with Makwana describing WAIFC as a practical vehicle for realising opportunities across one of the world's most dynamic and diverse screen industries. Perth's geographic closeness to the Indian Ocean region puts it in a uniquely advantageous position to lead this creative exchange for generations to come. [2]
🍛 Sauma: The Modern Indian Restaurant Perth Has Been Waiting For
Perth's Indian dining scene is earning well-deserved attention following an enthusiastic review from WAtoday food critic Max Veenhuyzen, who described Sauma as a modern Indian bar and restaurant that 'feels perfect for now.' The reviewer praised the restaurant for moving well beyond the familiar tropes of Australian-Indian dining — think butter chicken and naan as safe defaults — and instead showcasing the depth and diversity of the subcontinent's cuisine. Standout dishes include tandoor-roasted chicken thighs bathed in a vibrant sauce of mint and green chilli, a preparation the reviewer says may restore diners' faith in chicken tikka. Sauma earns praise for being simultaneously approachable and adventurous, fun yet focused in its culinary ambitions. The review, published in July 2026, signals a broader shift in Perth's food culture, where Indian cuisine is increasingly presented in sophisticated, contemporary formats that respect regional traditions while appealing to adventurous palates. For Perth's South Asian community and food lovers alike, Sauma represents the kind of serious, thoughtful Indian dining the city's growing Desi population has long deserved. With the launch of the West Australian Indian Film Council creating fresh institutional connections between Perth and India, the timing of Sauma's rise feels particularly fitting — a cultural and culinary moment converging in Australia's westernmost capital and signalling a maturing relationship between Perth and the subcontinent. [4]
Sources: [2] thecurb.com.au · [4] WAtoday