New Delhi: Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, officially announced the details of the 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in an engaging press conference held on Friday. The eagerly awaited festival is scheduled to take place from June 15 to June 21 at the FD-NFDC Complex in Mumbai and will also feature parallel screenings in other major cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata.
MIFF, originally known as BIFF when it first began in 1990, has since evolved into a major platform for Documentary, Short Fiction, and Animation films under its rebranded name. The festival is organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The Organizing Committee is spearheaded by the Secretary of the Ministry and comprises celebrated film personalities, documentary makers, and senior media officials.
Sanjay Jaju revealed that the opening film for the festival will be “Billy & Molly, an Otter Love Story,” which will simultaneously grace the screens in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Chennai on June 15. This year’s theme, ‘India in Amrit Kaal,’ resonates deeply with the country’s cultural and historical ethos. The closing film of the festival will be the one that wins the coveted Golden Conch, bringing the event to a ceremonious close on June 21.
The 18th MIFF has generated unprecedented enthusiasm, receiving record submissions of 1,018 films for the competition sections. These submissions span 38 countries and 65 languages. Out of this impressive pool, 118 films have been meticulously selected by three selection committees comprising eminent film experts. The festival’s programming will feature a total of 314 films, showcasing a diverse array of storytelling techniques and cultural narratives.
An important highlight of MIFF is its prestigious jury panel, featuring distinguished international and national film critics and auteurs. The international jury includes luminaries such as Keiko Bang, Barthelemy Fougea, Audrius Stonys, Bharat Bala, and Manas Choudhary. They will be responsible for bestowing the Golden Conch for the best documentary film, the Silver Conch for the best international short fiction film and best animation film, as well as the Pramod Pati Award for the most innovative or experimental film.
On the national front, the jury comprises notable figures like Adele Seelmann-Eggebert, Dr. Bobby Sarma Baruah, Apoorva Bakshi, Munjal Shroff, and Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck.
. They will confer awards for the Best Indian Documentary, Short Film, Animation, Best Debut Film, and the Best Student Film.
MIFF’s cultural and artistic offerings extend beyond film screenings. The festival will showcase an enticing melange of cultural acts, including a depiction of the journey of Indian animation, a cultural performance from Sri Lanka during the opening ceremony, and a performance from Argentina at the closing ceremony. The festival will also feature a screening of the FTII student short film “Sunflowers were the first ones to know,” which recently clinched the La Cinef Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
A significant new addition to this year’s festival is the inaugural Documentary Film Bazaar (DOC Film Bazaar). This initiative aims to boost film production by providing a vital platform for filmmakers to connect with buyers, sponsors, and potential collaborators. The DOC Film Bazaar will host dedicated sessions to explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding. Industry leaders from various verticals, like FICCI, will explore CSR funding opportunities for documentaries, positioning these films as powerful tools for brand enhancement and societal impact.
Given the scale of the event, the MIFF red carpet screenings will not only be held in Mumbai but will also travel to Delhi on June 17, Chennai on June 18, Kolkata on June 19, and Pune on June 20. This initiative enables broader participation from eminent personalities within the film industry.
The festival will also feature 20 masterclasses, in-conversations, and panel discussions with industry stalwarts. Participants can expect valuable insights from filmmakers such as Santosh Sivan, Audrius Stonys, Ketan Mehta, Richie Mehta, TS Nagabharana, Georges Schwizgebel, and many others. These sessions aim to foster creative dialogue and provide aspiring filmmakers with unparalleled access to industry expertise.
To culminate each day’s celebrations, a Gala Red Carpet screening will be held in the NFDC-FD complex in Mumbai, starting from the opening film on June 15. The red carpets promise star-studded appearances and an array of cinematic excellence, making MIFF a must-attend event for film aficionados and industry professionals alike.
The 18th MIFF promises a vibrant and enriching experience, celebrating international and Indian cinema, bolstering documentary filmmaking, and fostering deep cultural dialogue. Film lovers and industry stakeholders are eagerly looking forward to what promises to be a landmark edition of the festival.
