**Executive Summary**
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) was inaugurated on June 15, 2026, to position India as a global creative powerhouse for documentary, short fiction, and animation films. The week-long biennial event highlights the rapid growth of India’s media and entertainment sector, which is projected to reach ₹3.3 lakh crore by 2028. Key festival components include the Competitive Section featuring 1,459 entries and the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Industry Growth and Economic Metrics**
* The Indian media and entertainment industry grew by 9% to ₹2.78 lakh crore in 2025.
* Digital media has become the largest segment, surpassing the ₹1 lakh crore revenue milestone.
* Theatrical revenues saw a 16% rise in 2025, supported by the release of over 1,900 films.
* The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% to reach ₹3.3 lakh crore by 2028.
* **Festival Scope and Programming**
* The 2026 edition received 1,459 film entries from 46 different countries.
* Content is featured in over 42 Indian languages and more than 30 foreign languages.
* Two new curated sections have been introduced: "Marathi Films" and "Echoes from North East" to celebrate regional diversity.
* The event includes masterclasses, an Open Forum by the IDPA, and the WAVES Doc Bazaar to bridge the gap between emerging talent and global distributors.
* **Infrastructure and Institutional Initiatives**
* The Government of India has established the first Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai.
* The Maharashtra state government plans to set up a dedicated media hub in Mumbai with central government support.
* MIFF serves as a primary platform for the "Create in India" vision to encourage storytelling and creative entrepreneurship.
* **Recognitions and Felicitations**
* Actor Jaideep Ahlawat was honored for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
* The creative teams behind the opening films—the short film *Agapito* and the documentary *Time & Water*—were formally recognized.
* Members of the International Competition, National Competition, and FIPRESCI juries were felicitated.
**Impact Analysis**
**Filmmakers and Creative Professionals**
**Impact**
They gain access to an international platform for non-feature cinema, providing opportunities for global distribution and networking with industry experts.
**Action Required**
Filmmakers should utilize the WAVES Doc Bazaar and Open Forums to connect with producers and distributors to advance their projects.
**Media and Entertainment Industry Stakeholders**
**Impact**
The sector is benefiting from rapid digital transformation and expanding content consumption, leading to significant revenue growth and new institutional support like the Indian Institute of Creative Technology.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders must align with the "Create in India" vision and leverage emerging digital segments to meet the 2028 growth projections.
**Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers**
**Impact**
The festival provides specific channels for media professionals to interact with creators and access high-resolution promotional materials.
**Action Required**
Those wishing to connect with filmmakers for interviews should contact the media desk at miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject line "Take One with PIB."
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF): South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival dedicated to non-feature cinema, serving as a global platform for documentaries, short fiction, and animation.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The primary executing agency under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting responsible for organizing the festival and promoting the Indian film industry.
World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES): A major initiative and summit aimed at advancing India's position as a global leader in the audio-visual and creative sectors.
Indian Institute of Creative Technology: A maiden educational institution established in Mumbai to support the growth of creative industries and technological innovation in media.
‘Create in India’ vision: A strategic policy vision of the Prime Minister intended to provide a platform for filmmakers and creators to showcase Indian content globally.
19th Mumbai International
Film Festival 2026 opens with
a call to position India as the
world's creative powerhouse
Union Minister of State for I&B Dr. L.
Murugan highlights India's booming media
economy, global storytelling potential and
creator-driven future
Mumbai, 15 June 2026
The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), India's premier festival for
documentary, short fiction and animation films, was inaugurated at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Dadar in
Mumbai on Monday evening amid a grand celebration of cinematic excellence, cultural diversity and
creative innovation.
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan
inaugurated the festival and delivered a keynote address that set the tone for the week-long event,
positioning India as an emerging global hub for storytelling, content creation and creative
entrepreneurship.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Murugan talked about the growth of India's media and entertainment
ecosystem under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. "India today is
recognised across the world as a creative powerhouse and a reliable partner in content creation. Our
stories have the ability to inspire audiences across continents, while our creative talent pool remains
unmatched in its scale and capability," he said.
“India's media and entertainment industry grew by 9 per cent to ₹2.78 lakh crore in 2025, driven by
rapid digital transformation and expanding content consumption. Digital media has become the largest
segment of the industry, crossing the ₹1 lakh crore revenue milestone for the first time,” the minister
said and added that the sector is projected to reach ₹3.3 lakh crore by 2028, growing at over seven
per cent CAGR, while more than 1,900 films were released in India in 2025 alone, contributing to a 16
per cent rise in theatrical revenues.Describing Mumbai as the creative capital of India, he recalled the success of the World Audio Visual
and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) hosted in the city in 2025 and said platforms such as MIFF play a
crucial role in advancing India's ambition of becoming the world's leading creators' hub.
Talking about the growing significance of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, which has emerged as a major
platform connecting documentary filmmakers with producers, distributors, industry experts and global
audiences, Dr. Murugan said the initiative is helping bridge the gap between emerging talent and
established professionals while enabling the creation and international distribution of impactful
documentaries.
Congratulating the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation
(NFDC) and all other stakeholders associated with the festival, Dr. Murugan expressed confidence that
MIFF 2026 would contribute significantly to shaping the future of media and entertainment through
innovation, creativity and collaboration.
Maharashtra's Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology Shri Ashish Shelar, who also
spoke at the Opening Ceremony, welcomed the participants from across the world to Mumbai and
reiterated the state’s commitment to supporting the creative industries. Appreciating the government
of India for setting up the maiden Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai, the minister said
that the State government has a plan to set up a media hub in the city with the support of the central
government. Shri Shelar also appreciated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the initiative of World
Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit which was held in Mumbai in 2025.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting, described MIFF as a celebration of India's enduring civilisational belief in the free
exchange of ideas and creative expression. Quoting the Rig Veda's timeless invocation, "Let noble
thoughts come to us from every side," he said the festival brings together films, ideas and creators
from across the world. The Secretary also said MIFF reflects the ‘Create in India’ vision of Honorable
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi by providing a vital platform for filmmakers who dare to explore
deeper realities and present them through compelling cinematic narratives.
Jaideep Ahlawat felicitated for contribution to Indian cinema
One of the highlights of the evening was the felicitation of acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat for his
outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. The honour was presented by Dr. L. Murugan in the
presence of other dignitaries.
Receiving the recognition, Ahlawat expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the importance of
festivals such as MIFF in creating space for meaningful storytelling and encouraging cinematic voices
beyond mainstream narratives.
Cast and crew of opening films honoured
The ceremony also celebrated the creative teams behind the festival's opening films. Representatives
of the internationally acclaimed short film ‘Agapito’ and the documentary ‘Time & Water’ were
felicitated on the stage.
Actor Anton Nolasco and Casting Director Ma. Christina Simon from ‘Agapito’ were honoured, while
members of the National Geographic and JioStar teams associated with ‘Time & Water’ were also
recognised for bringing compelling global stories to audiences.
Felicitation of juries
In another segment of the inauguration, the festival formally welcomed and felicitated members of the
International Competition Jury, National Competition Jury and FIPRESCI Jury.
The jury panels comprise filmmakers, critics, scholars, programmers and media professionals from
India and across the world, entrusted with evaluating the festival's diverse selection of documentary,
short fiction and animation films.The opening ceremony also featured a vibrant cultural presentation showcasing India's artistic
heritage. The ceremony was attended by noted filmmaker and Festival Director of IFFI 2026 Shri
Ashutosh Gowariker, Chairman of Prasar Bharati Shri Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of NFDC Shri
Krishnakumar G, Festival Director of MIFF and NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, Indian
Documentary Producers’ Association (IDPA) President Shri Sanskar Desai, industry leaders,
filmmakers, jury members and distinguished guests from India and abroad.
Organized biennially by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and executed by NFDC, the
seven-day festival promises an enriching experience for filmmakers, industry professionals, and
cinema enthusiasts alike. This year’s edition has also introduced two new curated sections -- "Marathi
Films" and "Echoes from North East" -- with an aim of showcasing regional cinematic voices and
celebrating India's cultural diversity.
Click here for more details of the package of an extraordinary array of films, voices, and perspectives
the MIFF is bringing together from India and across the world.
Please find the high resolution photos of the MIFF events here
About 19th MIFF 2026
Recognized as South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival dedicated to non-feature cinema, the
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) has long stood as a vibrant celebration of documentary,
short fiction, and animation filmmaking. Established in 1990 and organized under the aegis of the
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, MIFF has grown into a prestigious
international platform that attracts filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world.
The 19th edition of MIFF promises an immersive and enriching cinematic experience, featuring a
thoughtfully curated lineup of acclaimed international films alongside an exciting array of industry-
focused initiatives.
This year, the Competitive Section of the festival has received 1,459 film entries from 46
countries, including India.
The festival showcases films in more than 42 Indian languages and over 30 languages from
outside India, reflecting its global reach and cultural diversity.
Featuring works by acclaimed filmmakers from around the world, the festival will present
some of the finest documentaries, short fiction films, animations, debut director films, and
student films.
Alongside the screenings, the 2nd edition of Doc Bazaar, enriching masterclasses, and an
Open Forum by IDPA will further enhance the cinematic and creative exchange at the
festival.
Step into the vibrant world of storytelling at MIFF 2026, where powerful cinema, creative minds, and
inspiring voices come together to create an unforgettable celebration of documentary, animation, and
short fiction filmmaking.
* * *
PIB Team MIFF | Nikita Joshi/Riyas Babu/Darshana Rane
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help spread your passion! For journalists, bloggers, and vloggerswanting to connect with filmmakers for interviews/interactions,
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