Hindi
Svayam and Mumbai International Film Festival 2024 announce partnership
Mumbai – Svayam, a leading organisation dedicated to promoting accessibility, is proud to announce its role as the Accessibility Partner for the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024. This collaboration marks the first time in MIFF’s history that the festival will be fully accessible to attendees with special needs and reduced mobility.
Scheduled from 15 to 21 June, MIFF 2024 celebrates diverse voices and stories through the power of cinema. With Svayam’s expertise on board, the festival experience goes beyond the screen, ensuring inclusivity for all. Svayam will conduct a comprehensive access audit of the venue, followed by exclusive training sessions for staff, volunteers, and participants. These sessions will focus on accessibility etiquette, terminology, and best practices for creating a welcoming environment.
Speaking on the partnership, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Festival director and Joint Secretary Prithul Kumar said, “We are happy to have Svayam on board as our accessibility partner for the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival. This is the very first time in the history of MIFF that the festival venue will be made fully accessible for people with special needs. This partnership will ensure a more inclusive festival experience, allowing a larger number of participants who can enjoy the screenings, be part of the masterclasses, panel discussions and other events. Svayam’s expertise in accessibility will open the doors for a wider audience to engage with the magic of cinema and we at NFDC are committed towards it.”
Svayam founder- chairperson Sminu Jindal expressed, “Accessibility is a fundamental right, and we at Svayam are dedicated to ensuring spaces are welcoming to all. We are honoured to be associated with MIFF 2024 and look forward to contributing to the international film festival experience that is not only culturally enriching and entertaining but also inclusive and accessible to everyone”.
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.
