GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 8th June. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has announced that the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) will take place from June 15th to 21st, 2024. The primary venue will be the FD-NFDC Complex in Mumbai, with parallel screenings in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune.
Record Submissions and Premieres
This year’s MIFF has seen a record number of 1,018 film submissions from 59 countries in 61 languages. The selection committees, composed of eminent film experts, have chosen 102 films for the competition sections: 25 for the International category and 77 for the National category. The festival will feature 8 world premieres, 5 international premieres, 18 Asia premieres, and 21 India premieres.
Special Programming
MIFF 2024 will showcase a variety of special packages, including films from the Oscars and Berlinale, and country focus packages from Russia, Japan, Belarus, Italy, Iran, Vietnam, and Mali. Additionally, there will be animation packages from France, Slovenia, Argentina, and Greece, student films from reputed institutes, restored classics, and films on themes such as India at Amrit Kaal, wildlife, and those tailored for visually and hearing-impaired audiences.
Opening and Closing Films
The festival will open with “Billy & Molly, an Otter Love Story” on June 15th across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Chennai. The closing film, which will be the winner of the Golden Conch award, will be showcased on June 21st.
Esteemed Jury and Awards
The International Jury includes renowned film personalities like Keiko Bang, Barthélemy Fougea, Audrius Stonys, Bharat Bala, and Manas Choudhary. The National Jury features Adele Seelmann-Eggebert, Dr. Bobby Sarma Baruah, Apoorva Bakshi, Munjal Shroff, and Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck. Awards totaling Rs 42 lacs will be presented, covering categories such as best documentary, short film, animation, debut film, and technical achievements.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
MIFF 2024 will ensure accessibility with films featuring audio descriptions, sign language, and closed captions for the differently-abled. The NFDC-FD premises will be fully accessible, equipped with interconnecting rain shades and volunteers sensitized to facilitate delegates with accessibility needs.
Gala Events and Red Carpets
The festival will commence and conclude with grand ceremonies at NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai, featuring cultural performances and screenings of acclaimed films. Daily red carpet screenings will be held in Mumbai, with additional events in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune.
Masterclasses and Panels
The festival will host 20 masterclasses, panel discussions, and workshops with industry luminaries such as Santosh Sivan, Audrius Stonys, and Georges Schwizgebel. Daily open forums will also be held in collaboration with the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA).
DOC Film Bazaar
A new initiative, the DOC Film Bazaar, aims to boost documentary film production by connecting filmmakers with buyers, sponsors, and collaborators. Nearly 200 projects from 10 countries in 27 languages have been submitted. The Bazaar will feature a Co-production Market, Work-in-progress Lab, and Viewing Room.
Digital Engagement
An interactive website (www.miff.in) and a mobile app have been developed for delegates to book screenings, attend events, and provide feedback.
Delegate Registrations
Registration fees are Rs 500 for Mumbai, while registrations in other cities, for students, and the press are free. Registrations are available via the website and Book My Show.
Corporate Partnerships
For the first time, MIFF has secured corporate collaborations from over 20 brands, which will sponsor various aspects of the festival and provide expertise.
MIFF, the oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films in South Asia, has been a premier international event since its inception in 1990. It provides a platform for documentary filmmakers worldwide to meet, exchange ideas, and explore co-production and marketing opportunities.
Comments are closed.