Hindi
‘Documentary cinema educates, inspires and motivates to bring a change in the society’: Anurag Thakur
Mumbai: The 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short fiction and animation films (MIFF-2022) began with an opening ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday.
Speaking via a video message, the Union Minister for Information And Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said, “Documentary cinema creates the most significant impact. It not only educates, inspires and motivates a change in the society but also acts as a tool that transcends cultures and boundaries.”
This edition will offer around 400 films from across the world. Out of these, 102 films will be screened under the competition category-35 in international competition and 67 in a national competition.
The minister also mentioned that MIFF provides a platform where documentary filmmakers from all over the world get to exchange ideas and explore the possibilities of co-productions and marketing of documentary, short and animation films. He added that this opportunity eventually broadens the vision of the film-makers vis-à-vis world cinema.
Speaking in this context, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal said that those who produce art films, documentary films and animation films are kind of a ‘Start-Up’ seeding new ideas and play the role of messengers in the country.
He said there are multiple avenues like the silver screen, television, OTT, etc, available to spread the message across the world, thus allowing such ‘start-ups’ to become ‘Unicorns’.
Goyal said that Lata Mangeshkar was an inspiration for many artistes and musicians & through art she took India’s history, tradition and heritage to the world. “Let us explore ways as to how we can institutionalise Lata Didi’s role for the country, the city of Mumbai and the Cinema world itself.”
The Minister of State for Information And Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan in his address spoke about the efforts made to promote Indian Cinema globally. He also pointed out how India has made a greater presence at the Cannes Film Festival and said Shaunak Sen’s film “All That Breathes” made India proud by winning the best documentary award.
The minister said that the government has announced incentives for international filmmakers and co-productions, especially for feature films, animation films, documentary films and web series. “AVGC sector promotion is happening in a great way. The prime minister (PM) called for Digital India and Startup India and the Indian contingent at Cannes showcased our culture and ethos,” he proudly recalled.
The seven-day festival was organised by the Films Division of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and inaugurated by Piyush Goyal.
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.
