The 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival was inaugurated in Mumbai in a grand opening ceremony on Saturday evening. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, and film celebrities Randeep Hooda, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sonali Kulkarni and Divya Dutta were present at the inauguration. As part of the opening ceremony, the FTII student short Film “Sunflowers were the first ones to know” was screened. The film won the La Cinef Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year. The V. Shantaram, Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 was presented to Subbiah Nallamuthu, a renowned, award-winning Wildlife filmmaker. Speaking to Akashvani Correspondent, Mr. Murugan said that a documentary Film Bazaar is being organized for the first time this year.
A total of 314 films from 59 countries across 61 languages will be screened in the MIFF programming this year. There will be 8 world premieres, 5 international premieres, 18 Asia premieres and 21 India Premieres. A record number of one thousand 18 films were submitted for the competition sections. 102 films have been selected by the 3 Selection Committees of eminent film experts for the International and National competition sections.
This year apart from Films Division- NFDC in Mumbai, MIFF screenings are also being held in Delhi (Sirifort Auditorium), Chennai (Tagore Film Centre), Pune (NFAI auditorium) and Kolkata (SRFTI Auditorium).
