Hindi
‘Lakshmi’ and ‘Beyond all boundaries’ win at Toronto Reel World Filmfest
NEW DELHI: Nagesh Kukunoor’s ‘Lakshmi’ about a girl’s struggle for survival has won the Outstanding International Feature award at the Reel World Film Festival in Toronto.
Sushrut Jain’s ‘Beyond All Boundaries’ took the award for Outstanding Documentary.
Lakshmi is the story of a 13 year old girl’s struggle to survive after being kidnapped and sold for prostitution. The film was released in India in March, this year.
According to the Jury, the film is “… a harrowing, uplifting and brave portrayal of a young girl sold into prostitution and what she endures. Its unflinching depiction of the reality of human trafficking was matched by an astonishing performance by Monali Thakur as the title character and writer-director and supporting actor Nagesh Kukunoor, who both led a note-perfect cast in ‘Lakshmi’.”
Jain’s ‘Beyond All Boundaries’ captures the relationship India has with the game of cricket while telling the stories of three individuals. “This film was chosen by a unanimous juror decision. The plot uniquely tells the story not only of three lives, but also of India’s relationship with cricket. The stories of each of the characters were in their own right interesting, while the interweaving of each of the tales added a complexity to the overarching narrative,” the jury noted.
Started in 2001, Reel World Film Festival screens features, documentaries, shorts and music videos.
Hindi
MIFF 2026 to return to Mumbai; film entries open till April 12
19th edition to host WAVES Doc Bazaar, spotlighting global documentary talent
MUMBAI: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 is set to take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC Complex, with film submissions currently open and the deadline fast approaching on April 12.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the biennial festival remains one of South Asia’s most prominent platforms for documentary, short fiction and animation films.
Filmmakers, producers and content creators from across the globe have been invited to submit entries via the Film Freeway platform for the Competition Section. Offline submissions will not be accepted, reinforcing a fully digital entry process.
MIFF 2026 continues to sweeten the deal with a robust awards pool of Rs 55 lakh. The coveted Golden Conch for Best Documentary carries a top prize of Rs 10 lakh, alongside multiple awards across categories, making it one of the most lucrative non-feature film festivals in the region.
A key highlight this year will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, scheduled from June 16 to 18 alongside the festival. Designed as a hub for collaboration, the Doc Bazaar will feature a co-production market, viewing rooms and a work-in-progress lab, bringing together global buyers, sellers and creators under one roof.
Since its inception in 1990, MIFF has built a reputation as a serious showcase for non-feature cinema, drawing participation from filmmakers worldwide. The previous edition saw over 350 films from more than 30 countries, underlining its growing international footprint.
With submissions closing soon and preparations underway, MIFF 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant meeting point for storytelling, collaboration and cinematic craft, offering filmmakers both a stage and a springboard.
