The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival 2024 was held from 15th June to 21st June, 2024 in Mumbai, India.
- The 18th Edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival was organised by NFDC (National Film Development Corporation of India) and the Ministry of information and Broadcasting, India.
Venue:
The venue of the festival was the FD-NFDC Complex, Mumbai, MIFF screenings were also held in Delhi (Sirifort Auditorium), Chennai (Tagore Film Centre), Pune (NFAI auditorium) and Kolkata (SRFTI Auditorium).
Entries for MIFF 2024:
- A record 1018 films were submitted for the competition sections this year.
- This edition of MIFF proudly showcased a diverse array of 314 films from 59 countries, presented in 61 languages.
- A total of 25 films were selected for the International Competition section which includes separate categories for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films. Likewise, 77 films competed in the national competition category.
- It had 8 world premieres, 5 international premieres, 18 Asia premieres and 21 India Premieres.
Opening & Closing Film of MIFF 2024:
- Opening Film of 18th MIFF was “Billy & Molly, an Otter Love Story”, initiated the festival with screenings in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Chennai on 15 June.
- The Closing Film of festival was the film that wins the Golden Conch. Indian film “The Golden Thread” won the Golden Conch.
- For the first time, MIFF selected a Midfest Film, “The Commandant’s Shadow” directed by Daniela Volker, adding a new dimension to the festival’s offerings.
18th Mumbai International Film Festival 2024 Winners:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award: Illustrious wildlife filmmaker, Shri Subbiah Nallamuthu
- It carries a cash award of 10 lakh rupees, trophy and a citation.
- Other illustrious recipients of the award in previous years include Shyam Benegal, Vijaya Mulay and other prominent filmmakers.
- The award is instituted in memory of legendary filmmaker V Shantaram.
International Competition Awards
Golden Conch Award:
Best International Documentary Film: Indian film ‘The Golden Thread’, directed by Nistha Jain
- The award carries a Golden Conch, certificate and cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs.
Silver Conch Award:
Best International Short Fiction Film: ‘Sour Milk’ (Estonia)
- ‘Sour Milk’, a short film directed by Vera Pirogova from Estonia
- The award carries a Silver Conch and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs.
Best International Animation Film: ‘Zima’ (Poland)
- ‘Zima’, a film directed by Tomek Popakul, Kasumi Ozeki from Poland
- The award carries a Silver Conch and cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs.
Pramod Pati Award:
“Pramod Pati Award” for Most Innovative / Experimental Film (to Director Only): ‘The Old Young Crow’ (Japan)
- ‘The Old Young Crow’, directed by Liam Lopinto from Japan
- The award carries a trophy and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
Special Jury Mention:
Special Jury Mention: ‘Lovely Jackson’ (United States of America)
- ‘Lovely Jackson’, directed by Matt Waldeck has won the Special Jury Mention award.
- The jury was inspired by the film’s spirituality and the creative techniques used to tell its compelling story.
National Competition Awards
Silver Conch Award:
Best Indian Documentary Film: 6-A Akash Ganga (above 60 minutes)
- ‘6-A Akash Ganga’, directed by Nirmal Chander Dandriyal
- The award carries silver conch and cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs.
Best Indian Short Fiction Film (upto 30 min.): Salt
- ‘Salt’ directed by Barkha Prashant Naik
- The award carries silver conch and cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.
Best Indian Animation Film: Nirjara
- ‘Nirjara’, directed by Gaurav Pati
- The award carries a silver conch and cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.
Special Jury Mention:
Special Jury Mention: A Coconut Tree
- ‘A Coconut Tree’ directed by Joshy Benedict won the Special Jury Mention.
Sponsored Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director: Sreemoyee Singh
- Sreemoyee Singh, for her film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’
- The award carries a trophy and prize money of Rs 1 lakh.
IDPA Award for Best Student Film: Chanchisoa (Expectation)
- ‘Chanchisoa (Expectation)’, a Garo film directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das
- The award carries a trophy and prize money of Rs 1 lakh.
FIPRESCI International Critic Jury Award: Sreemoyee Singh
- Sreemoyee Singh, for her film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’
Special Award
Best short film on “India in Amrit Kaal” (upto 15 min.)”: Life in Loom
- Life in Loom, directed by Edmond Ranson
- The award carries trophy, certificate and prize money of Rs 1 lakh.
Technical Award
Best Cinematographer: ‘Babin Dulal’ (Nepal) & Suraj Thakur (India)
- ‘Babin Dulal’ and Suraj Thakur jointly won the Best Cinematographer award for the film ‘Dhorpatan: No Winter Holidays’ and for the film ‘Entangled’ respectively.
- The award carries a trophy, certificate and cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.
Best Editor: Vignesh Kumulai and Irene Dhar Mallik
- Vignesh Kumulai and Irene Dhar Mallik won the Best Editor award jointly for the film ‘Karparaa’ and ‘From the Shadows’ respectively.
- The award carries a trophy, certificate and cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.
Best Sound Designer: Niraj Gera & Abhijit Sarkar
- Niraj Gera and Abhijit Sarkar jointly won the Best Soud Designer award for the film ‘The Golden Thread’ and ‘Dhara Ka Tem (Time for Milking)’ respectively.
- The award carries trophy, certificate and cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.
Documentary Film Bazaar: 18th Mumbai International Film Festival 2024
» The first ever Documentary Film Bazaar was inaugurated on 16 June at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2024).
- This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone for MIFF, reinforcing its status as the premier platform for non-feature films in South Asia.
- The Documentary Film Bazaar, a pioneering initiative, aims to elevate the documentary film industry by providing a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with buyers, sponsors, and collaborators.
- This innovative event, was held from 16 to 18 June 2024 at the NFDC complex has attracted close to 200 projects from 10 countries, representing 27 languages.
The Bazaar featured three curated verticals:
- Co-production Market: Featuring 16 projects, this segment connected filmmakers with potential collaborators, producers, co-producers, and financiers from around the globe.
- Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab: Showcasing 6 projects in the rough-cut stage, this lab offered invaluable feedback and mentorship from industry professionals to refine these films.
- Viewing Room: An exclusive space presented 106 completed documentaries, short films, and animation films to a curated audience of delegates, providing opportunities for distribution deals and funding.
About MIFF:
- MIFF is the oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films (Documentary, Short Fiction & Animation) in South Asia and a premier international event of the documentary film world, since it started in 1990. It is a biennial event organized once in 2 years.
- Began as BIFF and later re-christened as MIFF, this international event is organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
- The Organizing Committee of MIFF is headed by the Secretary, I&B and consists of eminent film personalities, documentary makers and senior media officials.
- MIFF provides a platform for documentary filmmakers from all over world to meet, exchange ideas, explore the possibilities of co-productions and marketing of documentary, short and animation films and also broaden the vision of filmmakers’ vis-a-vis world cinema.