Movies
MovieVerse Studios and Beacon Media partner to put Global South storytelling on the world stage
MUMBAI: MovieVerse Studios, the mainstream content arm of IN10 Media Network, has struck a global alliance with Beacon Media to amplify voices from the Global South. The partnership seeks to create a borderless content ecosystem spanning Hollywood, India, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America—reaching more than three billion viewers.
In10 Media Network managing director Aditya Pittie called the tie-up a “meaningful collaboration” blending creativity, technology and scale. Manoj Narender Madnani, chairman of Beacon Media, framed it as “1+1=11 in action,” a shift from competition to collaboration backed by Indian industrialist Anand Mahindra and Pittie.
The alliance will roll out a slate spanning feature films, premium series and micro-series designed for digital-first platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Vivek Krishnani, chief executive of MovieVerse Studios, said the Global South was “home to some of the most dynamic and culturally rich stories waiting to be told”.
Tapping into the deep cultural and financial ties between India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the partnership will kick off with a Malayalam-language feature film and a slate of new movies. It will also adapt bestselling fiction by Dr Deepak Chopra for global screens, while investing in micro-series aimed squarely at next-generation audiences.
Beacon Media has appointed Manini Priyan, an author and screenwriter with cross-market credentials, as head of content. It is also allied with veteran Arab drama executive Fadi Ismail to deliver Arabic programming for digital-first audiences.
With Hollywood in flux and demand for diverse stories peaking, the venture positions itself as a bridge between emerging regions and global distribution. As Madnani put it: “This is not just about content. It’s about reshaping the global entertainment landscape.”
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.
