Priyanka Chopra, MAMI, Chairperson opens up on the festival's focus on South Asian diaspora films

MUMBAI: Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Mumbai Film Festival is now open for film submissions from South Asian, South Asian Diaspora, and International filmmakers for its 2024 edition. One of the world’s most prestigious South Asian Film Festivals, MAMI isfocused on building an ecosystem for new cinematic voices, facilitating the exchange of ideas, collaborations, and business opportunities while bringing the best of world cinema to Mumbai. Scheduled to take place between October 19 - 24, 2024, in Mumbai, filmmakers are encouraged to submit their films through MAMI’s official website at www.mumbaifilmfestival.com. The early bird deadline for film submissions is May 31, 2024.

Building on the success of previous editions, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival continues to support an ecosystem that spotlights the talent and films of South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora. The festival remains committed to amplifying emerging and established independent cinematic voices while also nurturing the audience in India to watch cinema from a new perspective.

Talking about the festival and its commitment to South Asian cinema, talent, and audience, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Chairperson, MAMI, said, “With our new vision at MAMI, launched in 2023, we've successfully established an ecosystem that highlights South Asian and South Asian diaspora films and filmmakers. As the landscape of cinema and storytelling undergoes significant shifts, we firmly believe that our festival plays a crucial role in championing diverse narratives and facilitating connections between filmmakers and their audiences. I'm excited to announce the call for entries for 2024 and encourage filmmakers to submit their films to MAMI—a platform where we celebrate innovative storytelling and every film that deserves global attention.”

Adding to this, Deepti DCunha, Artistic Director, MAMI, said,““We are committed to showcasing the finest works by South Asian, South Asian Diaspora, and International filmmakers. The festival’s South Asian focus lends it a unique and strategic position, serving as a melting pot for new and emerging cinematic voices from the region. Our team invests countless hours in meticulously selecting the finest contemporary cinema, spanning countries, languages, and genres. We celebrate innovative cinematic expressions and extend a heartfelt invitation to filmmakers to submit their films for consideration in the 2024 edition of our festival. Welcoming submissions across all lengths and genres, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase fresh and dynamic cinematic voices at our festival.”

MAMI Mumbai Film Festival promises to offer an unparalleled opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with fellow creators, and expand their network on a global scale. In addition to showcasing the finest of world cinema, the festival will actively engage with various stakeholders through a diverse range of masterclasses, discussions, workshops, and expert panels. These initiatives are designed to foster critical thinking and facilitate meaningful dialogue among its audience, further enhancing the cultural impact of the festival.