MIFF 2024: Mumbai International Film Festival Premieres in Pune – Dates, Venue, and Exciting Details Inside

As the 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2024) gears up to commence on Saturday, the festival will, for the first time, extend its screenings to Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, MIFF promises to be a grand celebration of documentary, short, and animation films.

Established in 1990, MIFF has consistently introduced audiences to the best in documentary, short, and animation cinema. This year, alongside the screenings of films from Pune-based filmmakers, the festival will present a special showing of the opening film, “Billy and Molly – An Otter Love Story,” at the NFDC – National Film Archive of India in Pune.

From June 15 to 21, daily screenings of a wide array of official selections will take place at the NFDC-NFAI venue. The international competition section in Pune will feature films such as “Against the Tide” by Sarvnik Kaur, “Glass My Unfulfilled Life” by Rogier Kappier, “Karparaa” by Vignesh Kumulai, and “I Am Not” by Homer Hermann, among others. 3 Marathi films will also be screened: “Aathvanitlya Paaulkhuna” by Suhas Sitaram Karnekar, “Sahastrasurya Savarkar” by Shubhangi Rajan Sawant, and “Bhed Chal” by Ankit Pogula.

Celebrating Local Talent

MIFF will shine a spotlight on Pune’s filmmakers, highlighting those whose works have received official selections. Films like “Guntata Hruday He” (Entangled) by Sainath S Uskaikar and Cannes Film Festival winner Chidananda Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” will compete in the national competition for short fiction films. In the animation category, “Kankhua” by Arindam Kishor Dutta will vie for top honors, while “Fear” by Prasad Ramesh Bhujbal will compete in the national short fiction category. “Mhatara Dongar” by Devesh Ranganath Kanase will be part of the national prism-student short film fiction category.

The Inaugural Documentary Bazaar

A significant new addition to MIFF is the first-ever Documentary Bazaar. This initiative could not have come at a better time, as Indian documentaries like “The Elephant Whisperers” and “All That We Imagine as Light” are gaining international acclaim, including Oscars and Cannes Grand Prix awards. The Documentary Bazaar aims to attract diverse funders, including OTT platforms and both Indian and international film distribution companies.

“Getting on OTT is the dream,” says documentary filmmaker Vidyut Latay, whose 2023 documentary “Alien”—which explores the experiences of H1-B visa holders in the US—will be screened in the non-competition category at MIFF 2024. Latay, eager to participate in MIFF, looks forward to the opportunities the Documentary Bazaar might bring for her next project.

National Competition jury member Munjal Shroff highlights the need for greater funding in documentaries. Shroff, who is also the co-chair of FICCI – Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Comics Forum and director and COO of Graphiti Multimedia, emphasizes the festival’s role in connecting documentary makers with potential buyers over three days of networking and discussions.

MIFF 2024 – A Festival with Rich History

Founded in 1990, MIFF is one of the oldest South Asian film festivals. Held biennially, it is dedicated to showcasing documentaries, short films, and animations. This year’s festival has seen a record number of submissions, with 1,081 films vying for selection. The final shortlist includes 314 films in 61 languages, featuring eight world premieres.

Highlights and Must-Sees

The festival will feature a variety of screenings, retrospectives, special packages, and masterclasses. Highlights include:

Retrospectives: A special focus on animation includes a retrospective of Swiss animation giant Georges Schwizgebel, known for his innovative use of painted glass. Additionally, a session on the works of Czech animation legend Jiri Trnka, celebrated for his puppet animations, will provide unique insights into European animation filmmaking.

2. Notable Films:

“Against the Tide”: Directed by Sarvnik Kaur, this film follows two Koli fishermen with contrasting approaches to their livelihood. The film, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2023, has been nominated for an Oscar.
“Alien”: Vidyut Latay’s documentary delves into the lives of H1-B visa holders in the US, highlighting the challenges faced by highly skilled immigrants.
“Empire of Cats”: Directed by Egor Klimovich, this documentary explores Russia’s fascination with cats, featured in a special lineup of Russian films.
“Billy and Molly – An Otter Love Story”: The festival opens with the India premiere of this heartwarming tale about an otter’s unexpected friendship with a human.

3. Special Performances and Workshops: Delegates can look forward to workshops and masterclasses, including a performance titled “History of Animation in India, from 1950-2023,” which features a dance troupe performing against a montage of India’s animation history.

4. Special Country Packages: MIFF will present curated film packages from seven countries—Russia, Japan, Belarus, Italy, Iran, Vietnam, and Mali—along with animation packages from France, Slovenia, Argentina, and Greece.

5. Exclusive Screenings: The festival will include screenings of Oscar-nominated short films and special presentations from the Berlin International Film Festival’s last five years.

Venues and Access

MIFF 2024 will be hosted across five cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata. In Delhi, screenings will take place at Siri Fort Auditorium; in Pune, at the NFDC – National Film Archive of India; in Chennai, at the Tagore Film Centre; and in Kolkata, at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute. Registration is required for entry to the festival.

MIFF 2024 promises to be a vibrant celebration of cinematic excellence, offering an array of films, retrospectives, masterclasses, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and enthusiasts alike.