**Executive Summary**
The 2nd Edition of the Waves Doc Bazaar Awards concluded on June 18, 2026, during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall, Mumbai. The ceremony recognized independent filmmakers in non-fiction and short formats by providing critical post-production incentives, theatrical distribution support, and cash grants. These awards, instituted by industry leaders such as Prasad Labs, IICT, Reborn India Films, and NFDC, aim to accelerate independent storytelling across India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Prasad Labs Post-Production Awards**
* **Free Services:** Karishma Rao received free 4K DI services for up to 50 hours at Prasad Labs, Chennai, for her documentary ‘On a Good Note’.
* **Discounted Services:** Indrajeet More was awarded a 50% discount on DI services for up to 50 hours for the feature documentary ‘It takes a village’.
**IICT Post-Production Awards**
* **Post-Production Support:** Filmmakers Nandan Saxena, Kavita Bahl (‘Adieu Dilli’), and Saanya Anand (‘Do Chaar Din’) each received a 50% discount on 50 hours of 4K DI services from the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).
**Theatrical Distribution Support**
* **Distribution Award:** Reborn India Films awarded Karishma Rao (‘On a Good Note’) a theatrical release across 10 screens, providing distribution support valued at ₹7 lakh.
**NFDC Cash Grant Awards**
* **Financial Grants:** The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) presented cash grants of ₹1 lakh each to three projects:
* ‘Kunchok and His Many Moons’ by Ashok Meena.
* ‘The Girl Beneath The Sun’ by Madhurima Maiti.
* ‘Tukro Tukro Prithbi’ by Asmita Pal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Independent Filmmakers (Award Winners)**
**Impact**
Recipients gain essential technical resources, financial liquidity, and professional distribution channels that are often difficult for independent non-fiction projects to secure.
**Action Required**
Winners must coordinate with the respective awarding bodies to utilize the post-production hours, claim grants, and execute distribution plans.
**Industry Partners (Prasad Labs, IICT, Reborn India Films, NFDC)**
**Impact**
These organizations strengthen the independent film ecosystem by acting as "standard-bearers" and providing the infrastructure necessary for high-quality storytelling.
**Action Required**
Partners are responsible for delivering the promised technical services, distribution slots, and financial disbursements to the awardees.
**Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers**
**Impact**
The event provides media professionals with opportunities for direct interaction and interviews with emerging cinematic talent.
**Action Required**
Interested media personnel should contact the MIFF media desk at miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in using the subject line "Take One with PIB" to arrange interviews.
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF): A premier global platform celebrating documentary, short fiction, and animation films that served as the primary venue for the awards ceremony.
Waves Doc Bazaar: A specialized initiative designed to provide critical acceleration, post-production incentives, theatrical distribution support, and cash grants to independent non-fiction filmmakers.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The primary organizing body and central agency responsible for instituting awards and providing financial grants to support independent storytelling in India.
19th MIFF 2026: Visual
Glimpses from the 2nd
Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar
Awards Ceremony
Mumbai, 18 June 2026
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) witnessed a landmark moment for
independent filmmakers today as the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar concluded its highly
anticipated awards ceremony. Designed to provide critical acceleration to non-fiction and short
formats, the Doc Bazaar distributed key post-production incentives, theatrical distribution support, and
cash grants to standout cinematic projects.
Instituted by premier industry stalwarts including Prasad Labs, the Indian Institute of Creative
Technologies (IICT), Reborn India Films, and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),
these awards pave the way for strong, independent storytelling from across India.
Here is a visual glimpse into the standard-bearers of this year's Doc Bazaar awards ceremony held at
JB Hall on June 18, 2026.
Prasad Labs AwardsThe General Manager of Prasad Labs, Shri. Nitin Pingle presenting the Prasad Lab Post Production
Award (offering free 4K DI services for up to 50 hours at Prasad Labs, Chennai) to filmmaker Karishma
Rao for her documentary film ‘On a Good Note’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar during the
19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June 18, 2026.
The General Manager of Prasad Labs, Shri. Nitin Pingle presenting the Prasad Lab Post Production
Award (offering a 50% discount on DI services for up to 50 hours) to filmmaker Indrajeet More for the
feature documentary film ‘It takes a village’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June 18, 2026.
IICT Post-Production AwardsThe Director – Academics, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Shri Satish Narayanan
presenting the IICT Post-Production Award (offering a 50% discount on 50 hours of 4K DI) to
filmmakers Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl for their documentary film ‘Adieu Dilli’ at the 2nd Edition
of Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on
June 18, 2026.
The Director – Academics, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Shri Satish Narayanan
presenting the IICT Post-Production Award (offering a 50% discount on 50 hours of 4K DI) to
filmmaker Saanya Anand for her documentary film ‘Do Chaar Din’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc
Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June 18, 2026.
Reborn India Films Distribution AwardShri Rahul Agarwal and Shri Rohit Agarwal of Reborn India Films presenting the Reborn India Film
Distribution Award (ensuring a theatrical release across 10 screens with distribution support valued at
₹7 lakh) to filmmaker Karishma Rao for her documentary film ‘On a Good Note’ at the 2nd Edition of
Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June
18, 2026.
NFDC Cash Grant Awards
The Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Shri Prakash Magdum
presenting the NFDC Cash Grant of ₹1 lakh to filmmaker Ashok Meena for the project ‘Kunchok and
His Many Moons’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film
Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall in Mumbai on June 18, 2026.The Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Shri Prakash Magdum
presenting the NFDC Cash Grant of ₹1 lakh to filmmaker Madhurima Maiti for the project ‘The Girl
Beneath The Sun’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film
Festival (MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June 18, 2026.
The Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Shri Prakash Magdum
presenting the NFDC Cash Grant of ₹1 lakh to filmmaker Asmita Pal for the project ‘Tukro Tukro
Prithbi’ at the 2nd Edition of Waves Doc Bazaar during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival
(MIFF 2026) at JB Hall on June 18, 2026.Dignitaries including Shri Prakash Magdum (MD, NFDC), Shri Nitin Pingle (GM, Prasad Labs), Shri
Satish Narayanan (IICT), and Rahul & Rohit Agarwal (Reborn India Films) in a group photograph with
the award-winning filmmakers at the 2nd Waves Doc Bazaar, 19th MIFF 2026, held at JB Hall on June
18, 2026.
About MIFF:
The Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) is a premier platform celebrating the best in
documentary, short fiction, and animation films from across the globe, fostering dialogue and learning
through specialized masterclasses and workshops.
* * *
PIB Team MIFF: Mahesh Kumar/Riyas Babu/Mohammad Aqib Khan/Darshana Rane
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