In this Industry Spotlight with Creative First, Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting-II), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to discuss the evolution and future of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). Prithul shared his valuable insights into the festival’s growth and its impact on the documentary, short film, and animation segments.

MIFF was established in 1990 to support non-commercial cinema. The festival expanded its international reach, with participation from 59 countries in the latest edition MIFF and includes a documentary film bazaar, providing a platform for filmmakers to find buyers, distributors, and co-producers, and to receive mentorship. This year, for the first time, a dedicated session focused on CSR funding, allowing projects with environmental and social themes to pitch for corporate sponsorships.

The festival’s influence was evident in the international recognition of filmmakers like Payal Kapadia, whose film recently won the Grand Prix at Cannes, as she was earlier a two-time winner at MIFF.

This year’s festival, featuring over 1,000 submissions and showcasing 314 films, will include Oscar and Berlinale winners and contributions from film institutes worldwide. Screenings will be held in multiple cities including Delhi, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata, allowing broader access to MIFF’s diverse offerings.

Prithul explained the integration of new technologies like AI, AR, and VR. Pritul said MIFF aims to keep filmmakers updated and enhance their productions. This year’s festival will include a pavilion showcasing advanced VFX and technical equipment, ensuring filmmakers benefit from the latest innovations. The documentary film bazaar will feature a co-production market, with 16 projects from 10 countries seeking partnerships, and a work-in-progress section offering mentorship for six selected films.

Prithul emphasized the importance of MIFF in creating an ecosystem for documentary filmmaking and encouraged wider participation through digital registration and mobile apps. The discussion underscored MIFF’s role in nurturing talent and fostering international collaboration.

MIFF takes place from 15th to 21st June, 2024 and delegates can sign up at https://miff.in/