Event Coverage
Women Filmmakers at Spotlight and a special package on Culture films at MIFF
Mumbai: Celebrating the remarkable achievements of women filmmakers worldwide, this year’s MIFF is set to shine a spotlight on their contributions with a dedicated segment featuring films directed by women.
In the special showcase titled “Asian Women Film,” MIFF will present five captivating films, each offering a unique perspective from talented women filmmakers. These include “American Dream” by Renee Shi and “Tequila Sunset” by Jinsui Song, both hailing from the United States, “Duet” by Ekin Ilkbağ and Idil Akkuş from Turkey, “Happy Independence Day” by Camila Sagyntkan from Kazakhstan, and “Triangle” by Zhino Hadi Hasan from Iraq.
Each film brings its compelling narrative to the screen. “American Dream” pays homage to the victims of school shooting tragedies, while “Duet” follows the journey of two close friends and swimming duet partners aiming to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. “Happy Independence Day” delves into the search for purpose and identity after the loss of a loved one, while “Tequila Sunset” explores the adventures of 70-year-old Gia as she seeks creative solutions for relaxation and enjoyment in life. Lastly, “Triangle” confronts the issue of sexual harassment in a thought-provoking narrative.
Additionally, three compelling documentary films will be presented in a special package focusing on cultural themes. Among them are “Steps of Freedom – The Story of Irish Dance” directed by Ruan Magan, “Kanda Bode (Don’t Get Whipped)” directed by Fekad Kiros and Cheryl Halpern, and “Flamenco: Passion in Danger” directed by Madeleine Y Gomez.
Featuring an array of outstanding films, MIFF promises an enriching experience for cinephiles in Mumbai. Moreover, with parallel screenings in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune, the festival extends its reach to a broader audience interested in short films, documentaries, and animation.
Renowned for its eclectic selection of films spanning various genres, MIFF serves as a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their craft. Established in 1990, with a rich history of nurturing cinematic talent and fostering cultural exchange, MIFF has garnered acclaim for its commitment to excellence in storytelling.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
