The Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) Mumbai Film Festival is bringing again its modern “MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone” initiative for a second version. This trailblazing programme is designed to empower rising filmmakers from throughout India, providing them state-of-the-art instruments and a platform to showcase their creativity. Selected filmmakers will obtain an iPhone 16 Pro Max to shoot their movies, a MacBook Pro for enhancing, and a beneficiant grant to fund their initiatives.
This 12 months’s version is especially noteworthy for its give attention to inclusivity. MAMI has expanded the decision for functions nationwide, aiming to find contemporary voices from each nook of India. The initiative can also be championing regional cinema by requiring movies to be created in one in every of 4 languages—Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, and Tamil—guaranteeing that numerous tales and cultures take centre stage.
Nationwide Hunt for Fresh Voices
MAMI’s choice to open functions throughout the nation displays its dedication to unearthing expertise from all areas and backgrounds. Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit their entries for an opportunity to supply a brief movie between 20 and 40 minutes lengthy. This construction ensures the highlight is shared amongst India’s myriad cultures and linguistic traditions.
Festival Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur emphasised the programme’s inclusive imaginative and prescient, saying, “For the first time, we have opened the call for applications across the country to make films in four regional languages.” The initiative not solely supplies a platform for rising artists but in addition highlights the storytelling potential of recent expertise, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max serving as the first instrument for filming.
Guided by Industry Titans
The chosen filmmakers gained’t embark on this journey alone—they’ll be mentored by an illustrious panel of business veterans. Actor and director Konkona Sen Sharma, celebrated Malayalam filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery, acclaimed director-producer Vikramaditya Motwane, and famend Tamil filmmaker Vetri Maaran will work intently with the members. These mentors will supply steerage all through the manufacturing course of, from story improvement to post-production, serving to to refine narratives and push the boundaries of artistic expression.
Motwane, returning as a mentor, shared his enthusiasm: “I was completely blown away by the quality of storytelling and technical finesse last year. I cannot wait to see what magic this year’s filmmakers create.” Pellissery lauded the initiative for its give attention to regional expertise, describing it as “an excellent platform to identify and support filmmakers from different parts of India.”
Vetri Maaran, mentoring the Tamil-language movie, mentioned he was proud to be a part of a programme that promotes numerous voices and presents a stage for rising expertise. Konkona Sen Sharma expressed her pleasure about working with younger filmmakers, praising MAMI for fostering impartial cinema.
A Cinematic Showcase for All
The quick movies created by the programme will premiere at a particular screening occasion earlier than being made obtainable on MAMI’s YouTube channel, guaranteeing they attain a large viewers. This accessibility aligns with MAMI’s mission to champion new voices in Indian cinema and produce contemporary tales to the forefront.
Applications are open till 19 January on the pageant’s official web site, inviting younger filmmakers to grab this distinctive alternative. With cutting-edge expertise, knowledgeable mentorship, and a platform to showcase their work, the second version of “MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone” is ready to redefine the chances of impartial filmmaking in India.
