From Heritage to Hope: Emerging Filmmakers Capture the Many Faces of India at 19th Mumbai Festival

From Heritage to Hope:

Emerging Filmmakers Capture the Many Faces of India at 19th Mumbai Festival Young Filmmakers Paint India’s Many Worlds Through Stories of Culture, Community and Change at MIFF Mumbai, 18 June 2026 The "Emerging Voices: Film School Edition" section at the 19th MIFF is giving audiences a chance to see the world through the eyes of young filmmakers. Along with films from well known film schools in France and Germany, the section features 27 films from film institutes across India, including the Northeast. Together, these films reflect the rich diversity of India's people, cultures and experiences.

The films explore a wide range of subjects such as identity, culture, family, social issues, hope, resilience and human relationships. The films are being screened throughout the festival.

The section features four films from the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune; three films from the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata; four films from Auroville Film Institute, Tamil Nadu; one film from the Biju Pattnaik Film & Television Institute of India, Cuttack; two films from the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film & Television Institute, Assam; three films from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; four films from RV University, Karnataka; three films from Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing & Visual Arts, Rohtak;

and three films from Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. Together, these films represent diverse regions and storytelling traditions from across the country.

Some of the prominent films focus on local traditions, culture and the importance of preserving knowledge passed down through generations. FTII's “In Search of Stone” explores people's connection with ancient sites and raises questions about protecting them. SRFTI's “Black Clay” (Khiew Ramew) highlights traditional crafts and the value of preserving them for the future.

Some films look at the challenges of everyday life. “Durjog” from SRFTII shows how financial difficulties can push people into tough situations and difficult choices. The Last Herd (Moishal) tells a story of loss and survival as people try to rebuild their lives after a natural disaster.Family and personal relationships are also important themes. “Cape of Good Hope” looks at the responsibilities of caring for loved ones and how these responsibilities affect families. Nagaland, “A Visual Poem explores love”, memory and the strong bond people share with places they call home.

The dreams and struggles of young people are reflected in L-EARN (Taal-Mel). Through the lives of young musicians, the film shows how art can bring confidence, purpose and hope, even during difficult times.

Together, the films in the "Emerging Voices: Film School Edition" section tell stories from different parts of India and the world. Rooted in local communities and real life experiences, they highlight the creativity of young filmmakers and offer thoughtful reflections on people, culture and society.* * * PIB Team MIFF | Mahesh Kumar/Robin Singh/Darshana Rane Great films resonate through passionate voices. Share your love for cinema with #MIFF2026. Tag us @pibmumbai on X, and we'll help spread your passion! For journalists, bloggers, and vloggers wanting to connect with filmmakers for interviews/interactions, reach out to us at miff.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject

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