To open with the screening of Good Luck to You All (Animation), Agapito (Short Fiction), and Time and Water (Documentary)

346 films from 46 countries to be showcased across Competition and Non-Competition sections ; AI Cinema Hackathon, new regional sections and expanded industry engagement among key highlights of MIFF 2026

WAVES Doc Bazar to showcase 155 Entries, Strong B2B Industry Participation at MIFF

NFDC ties up with Film City to present a curated section of Marathi Films in the 19th MIFF

Mumbai : The countdown has begun for the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) as Mumbai prepares to welcome filmmakers, storytellers, industry leaders and cinema enthusiasts from across the world for a week-long celebration of documentary, short fiction and animation cinema. The much awaited biennial film festival for non feature films, scheduled to be held from June 15 to 21, 2026, promises a vibrant confluence of creativity, culture, innovation and global cinematic excellence.

Addressing a curtain raiser press conference today, Managing Director, NFDC, Prakash Magdum said that MIFF 2026 received an overwhelming response with 1,459 film entries from across the world. The Competition Section comprises 144 films, including 52 international and 92 national entries, representing filmmakers from 13 countries. The non competition section will feature a total of 202 films, including 106 international titles and 96 national films from 46 participating countries, collectively presenting over 83 hours of screenings. The section will be organised across 24 curated segments, including Mosaic, Best of Fest, Busan Next Wave, Oscar Winners, Raimund Krumme Retrospective, NFDC Showcase, Echoes from North East, and Marathi Films, among others, bringing together acclaimed works, emerging voices, and regionally rooted storytelling on a single platform. Master film maker David Attenborough will be honoured with the screening of his two films under ‘Centenary Tribute’.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Swati Mhase Patil, Managing Director, Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation, said, “MIFF has evolved into one of Asia’s most respected platforms for non-feature cinema, bringing together filmmakers, producers, broadcasters, students, critics and audiences from across the globe.” Highlighting the Marathi Films section, she said that the initiative would provide an international platform for Marathi storytelling, culture, heritage and cinematic excellence. She further noted that Maharashtra is poised to emerge not only as India’s premier filming destination but also as a global hub for meaningful and impactful storytelling.

The renowned festival for documentaries, short fiction and animation will open with the screening of a film across all the three formats. The Opening Films will include the animated work Good Luck to You All, directed by Cordell Barker (Canada), the short fiction Agapito, directed by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero (Philippines), and the documentary Time and Water, directed by Sara Dosa (United States & Iceland).

The Mid-Fest lineup, scheduled on 18th June, will include the animated film Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe! directed by Andrea Szelesová (Czech Republic & Slovakia), the short fiction Hyena directed by Altay Ulan Yang (United States), and the documentary I Love You, I Leave You directed by Moris Freiburghaus (Switzerland), each offering distinct storytelling styles and international perspectives.

The festival will confer 18 awards across international and national competition categories, carrying a total prize money of ₹45 lakh along with trophies and certificates. A major highlight of the opening ceremony will be the presentation of the prestigious V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award, coinciding with the 125th birth anniversary year of the legendary filmmaker.

The 19th MIFF will also feature 10 masterclasses led by renowned film practitioners, covering filmmaking, storytelling, acting, screenwriting, and cinematography. The Indian Documentary Producers’ Association (IDPA) will organize five open forum discussions on the sideline of film screenings at 19th MIFF.

Apart from the NFDC complex, the screenings will also take place at Ravindra Natya Mandir at Dadar & two colleges namely SVKM’s UshaPravin Gandhi College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ville Parle, and St Paul’s Institute of Communication Education, Bandra West

This year’s edition has also introduced two new curated sections — “Marathi Films” and “Echoes from Northeast” — aimed at showcasing regional cinematic voices and celebrating India’s cultural diversity.

The Waves Doc Bazar section will showcase a strong industry focused selection, reflecting its role as a key platform for documentary talent and market engagement. This year, a total of 155 entries will be featured, alongside 5 projects in the Work in Progress (WIP) Lab and 12 films under Film Bazaar Recommends, with the Viewing Room hosting all 155 films for industry access and evaluation. The section will also facilitate robust B2B networking opportunities, with leading platforms and broadcasters including Netflix, Zee, Sony, Stage OTT, and Waves OTT confirmed for meetings, reinforcing its position as a significant marketplace for documentary discovery, collaboration, and distribution.

For the first time, MIFF will host an AI Cinema Hackathon titled “Mumbai Through a Thousand Eyes”, a 48-hour global filmmaking challenge exploring AI-driven storytelling. The festival will also feature 10 masterclasses and multiple panel discussions with eminent filmmakers and industry experts.

Student registrations for MIFF 2026 have been kept free of charge.

A dedicated media microsite hosted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) at https://www.pib.gov.in/MIFF/2026 will serve as a comprehensive digital repository for MIFF, featuring official stories, photographs, and multimedia content.