Noida, August 1, 2026: The International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) had the privilege of hosting a distinguished Australian delegation under the Indo-Australia Film and Cultural Forum, in association with AMON (Australia Multicultural Organizations Network), at Marwah Studios, Noida Film City.
The high-level delegation comprised Nick Wills, Tony Bargwanna, Nirmal Singh, Chef Sabi Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, and Balwant Bisht, under the leadership of Manjul Thapliyal, Founder of Visions Ahead Foundation and President of the India Chapter of AMON.
A special roundtable conference was organized to deliberate on common objectives and explore new avenues of collaboration in the fields of cinema, media, education, tourism, business, skill development, art, and cultural exchange. The discussions focused on strengthening people-to-people connections and creating sustainable partnerships between India and Australia through creative industries and cultural diplomacy.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of ICMEI and Chair of the Indo-Australia Film and Cultural Forum, emphasized the importance of cultural engagement in building stronger international relations.
“India and Australia share a relationship founded on mutual respect, democratic values, and cultural diversity. Through the Indo-Australia Film and Cultural Forum, we are committed to creating meaningful collaborations in films, media, education, tourism, and the creative industries. This roundtable is another important step towards building long-lasting partnerships that will benefit both nations and their creative communities,” said Dr. Sandeep Marwah.
Speaking on behalf of the Australian delegation, Nick Wills appreciated the vision and initiatives of ICMEI and Marwah Studios. “It is inspiring to witness the remarkable work being carried out by ICMEI in promoting international cultural relations. We see immense opportunities for collaboration between Australia and India, particularly in creative industries, education, and multicultural engagement. This interaction has opened new possibilities for future partnerships,” said Nick Wills.
Tony Bargwanna highlighted the growing significance of people-to-people exchanges and the role of cultural platforms in strengthening bilateral relations. “Film, art, and culture have the unique ability to bring communities together beyond geographical boundaries. The initiatives led by Dr. Sandeep Marwah provide an excellent platform to encourage innovation, creativity, and mutual understanding between Australia and India. We look forward to developing many productive collaborations in the coming years,” said Tony Bargwanna.
Addressing the gathering, Manjul Thapliyal, Founder of Visions Ahead Foundation and President of the India Chapter of AMON, expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by ICMEI. “Our objective is to build stronger bridges between Australia and India through meaningful collaborations in business, culture, education, and community engagement. The Indo-Australia Film and Cultural Forum has become an effective platform for bringing together leaders, professionals, and institutions from both countries. I am confident that today’s deliberations will lead to several impactful initiatives in the near future,” said Manjul Thapliyal.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to expand bilateral cooperation through joint projects, cultural festivals, educational exchanges, film collaborations, business networking, and institutional partnerships. The event further reinforced the growing role of the Indo-Australia Film and Cultural Forum as an important catalyst for strengthening friendship and cooperation between India and Australia through the universal language of art and culture.
