Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 returns for 19th edition with 346 films and a global slate

MUMBAI: The cameras are set to roll and the spotlight is firmly on as Mumbai gears up for the 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival, bringing together a global slate of documentary, short fiction and animation cinema from 15 to 21 June 2026.

The festival will open on a strong cinematic note with three curated screenings across formats: the animated feature Good Luck to You All by Cordell Barker (Canada), the short fiction Agapito by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero (Philippines), and the documentary Time and Water by Sara Dosa (United States and Iceland). These opening titles set the tone for a week focused on diverse storytelling voices from around the world.

This year’s edition has drawn significant global participation, with 346 films from 46 countries selected across competition and non-competition sections. According to the organisers at the National Film Development Corporation of India, the festival received 1,459 submissions in total, reflecting growing international interest in India’s premier non-feature film platform.

The competition section features 144 films, including 52 international and 92 national entries, while the non-competition slate brings 202 films from 46 countries. Together, they span more than 83 hours of programming across 24 curated segments, including Mosaic, Best of Fest, Busan Next Wave, Oscar Winners, and retrospectives such as Raimund Krumme.

A major highlight this year is the introduction of an AI Cinema Hackathon titled “Mumbai Through a Thousand Eyes”, a 48-hour global challenge focused on AI-driven storytelling. The festival is also expanding its industry engagement through the Waves Doc Bazar, which will showcase 155 entries alongside work-in-progress projects and curated selections aimed at strengthening distribution and collaboration opportunities.

Industry participation is expected to be strong, with platforms including Netflix, Zee, Sony, Stage OTT and Waves OTT taking part in B2B meetings and market discussions.

Speaking at the curtain raiser, Prakash Magdum highlighted the festival’s global reach and competitive growth, while Swati Mhase Patil described MIFF as a leading Asian platform for non-feature cinema and a growing showcase for Marathi storytelling and cultural expression.

The festival will also honour legendary filmmaker David Attenborough under a centenary tribute segment, alongside masterclasses, panel discussions, and an expanded focus on regional cinema through new sections such as Marathi Films and Echoes from Northeast.

With screenings spread across multiple venues in Mumbai and student registrations offered free of charge, MIFF 2026 is positioning itself as both an accessible cultural celebration and a serious global industry marketplace.

As the countdown begins, Mumbai is all set to turn into a global hub of non-feature storytelling, where ideas, innovation and independent cinema share the same frame.