Documentary Mumbai International Film Festival begins with a colorful

New Delhi: The 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short Fiction, and Animation films (MIFF-2022) began with a colorful opening ceremony at the Nehru Centre, Worli in Mumbai today (29th May 2022).

Documentary Mumbai International Film Festival begins with a colorful

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated the seven-day festival organized by the Films Division of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. To promote wider participation, MIFF 2022 has been organized in a hybrid model, and online viewing of films is free for all those who register at https://miff.in, said Festival Director Ravindra Bhakar.

In commemoration of Bangladesh’s 50 years of Independence, the country has been chosen as the ‘Country of Focus' this year. A special package of 11 films from Bangladesh including the critically acclaimed film ‘Hasina- A Daughter’s Tale’ will be presented at MIFF 2022.

V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award to documentary filmmaker and author Sanjit Narwekar.

At the opening ceremony, the coveted Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon veteran documentary filmmaker and author Sanjit Narwekar,  for his contribution to films through his writings, especially film history and the documentary film movement. 

Sarkar has written and edited more than 20 books on cinema, including ‘Marathi Cinema in Retrospect’, which won him the Swarna Kamal at the National Film Awards. The V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs (Rs 1 million), Golden Conch, and a citation.  This award is instituted in memory of legendary filmmaker V Shantaram, who has closely associated with the Films Division as Honorary Chief Producer during the 1950s.

Documentary and animation films

Documentary and animation films are like start-ups and have the potential to become Unicorns – Piyush Goyal

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shri Piyush Goyal said those who produce art films, documentary films, and animation films are kind of a Start-Up seeding new ideas and playing the role of messengers in the country.  He said today there are multiple avenues like the silver screen, television, OTT, etc available to spread the message across the world, thus giving an opportunity for such ‘start-ups’ to become ‘Unicorns’.

The Minister said Lata Mangeshkar was an inspiration for many artists and musicians and through art, she took India’s history, tradition, and heritage to the world. “Let us explore ways as to how we can institutionalize Lata Didi’s role for the country, the city of Mumbai, and the Cinema world itself.

Documentary – a tool that transcends cultures and boundaries – Anurag Thakur

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur in his video message said “documentary cinema creates the most significant impact. It not only educates inspires and motivates a change in the society but also acts as a tool that transcends cultures and boundaries.” 

The Minister also mentioned that MIFF provides a platform where documentary filmmakers from all over the world get to exchange ideas and explore the possibilities of co-productions and marketing of documentary, short, and animation films. He said that this opportunity eventually broadens the vision of the filmmakers vis-à-vis world cinema.

Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan in his address spoke about the efforts made to promote Indian Cinema globally. He also pointed out how India has made a greater presence at the Cannes Film Festival and said Shaunak Sen’s film ‘All That Breathes’ made India proud by winning the Best Documentary award. 

The Government has announced incentives for international filmmakers 

The Minister said that the Government has announced incentives for international filmmakers and co-productions, especially for feature films, animation films, documentary films, and web series.    “AVGC sector promotion is happening in a great way. PM's call for Digital India and Startup India and Indian contingent at Cannes showcased our culture and ethos” he proudly recalled.

Members of the International Jury - Subbiah Nallamuthu; Anant Vijay; Meena Rad (France); Jean Pierre Saire (France); Dan Wolman (Israel), and the National Jury – Sanjit Narvekar; Subash Sehgal; Jayshree Bhattacharya; Ashley Ratanavibhushana (Sri Lanka) and Tareq Ahmed (Bangladesh) were felicitated during the ceremony.

Minister of State for Railways, Coal & Mines, Raosaheb Patil Danve; Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale; Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil; Minister of State for Finance; Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad;  award-winning filmmaker Shaji Karun, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Ms. Neerja Shekhar,  filmmaker Kiran Shantaram, filmmaker Rahul Rawail, actor Dalip Tahil were prominent among those present.

Opening Fare at MIFF 2022 and other highlights

Manipuri documentary film ‘Meiram – The Fireline (33 mins)’, an Animation film from France, ‘Castaway’ (6 mins), and a short fiction film from Japan Shabu-Shabu Spirit (10 mins) opened the 17th edition of MIFF.

This edition will offer around 400 films that have reached the festival from across the world. Out of these, 102 films will be screened under the Competition Category - 35 in international competition and 67 in the national competition. The screenings will be held at the state-of-the-art auditoriums (auditoria) located in the Films Division complex on Pedder Road.

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