Date: 2026-04-10Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films, to be held at NFDC Complex, Mumbai, from 15th to 21st June 2026
**Executive Summary**
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, Short Fiction, and Animation films is scheduled for June 15–21, 2026, at the NFDC Complex, Mumbai. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation, the festival offers total cash prizes of Rs. 55 lakhs and will run alongside the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar (June 16–18, 2026). The final deadline for film submissions to the competition section is April 12, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Festival Schedule and Venue**
* **Dates:** The 19th edition will be held from June 15 to June 21, 2026.
* **Location:** The event takes place at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai.
* **Scope:** The festival focuses on non-feature categories, specifically Documentary, Short Fiction, and Animation films.
**Submission Guidelines**
* **Deadline:** The last date for competition entries is April 12, 2026.
* **Platform:** Submissions must be made online via the Film Freeway platform; offline entries will not be accepted.
* **Eligibility:** Producers, distributors, and authorized rights holders are invited to enter their films after reviewing the official regulations.
**Awards and Recognition**
* **Prize Pool:** Total cash awards amount to Rs. 55 lakhs.
* **Top Honor:** The Golden Conch Award for Best Documentary includes a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs.
* **Legacy:** Established in 1990, MIFF is South Asia’s oldest and largest biennial non-feature film festival.
**WAVES Doc Bazaar**
* **Dates:** The bazaar runs from June 16 to June 18, 2026.
* **Features:** Includes a Co-production Market, Viewing Room, and a Work in Progress Lab.
* **Objective:** To facilitate collaboration, innovation, and connections between global buyers and sellers of non-feature films.
**Impact Analysis**
**Documentary and Non-Feature Filmmakers**
**Impact**
Filmmakers gain access to a global platform for screening their work, competing for substantial cash prizes, and securing co-production opportunities.
**Action Required**
Must complete film submissions through the Film Freeway platform by the April 12, 2026, deadline.
**Film Industry Professionals and Global Buyers**
**Impact**
These stakeholders can utilize the WAVES Doc Bazaar to discover new content, facilitate distribution deals, and foster international collaborations.
**Action Required**
Interested parties should monitor the official MIFF website for upcoming participation details regarding the Doc Bazaar.
**Cineastes, Students, and Academics**
**Impact**
The festival provides an educational and networking environment featuring award-winning films, restored classics, and curated thematic segments.
**Action Required**
Engage with the festival sessions and screenings between June 15 and June 21, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF): A biennial international festival for documentary, short fiction, and animation films, recognized as South Asia’s oldest and largest event in this segment.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The organizing body under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting responsible for the execution and management of the festival.
WAVES Doc Bazaar: A specialized initiative within MIFF featuring a co-production market and viewing room to facilitate global trade and collaboration for non-feature films.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The primary central ministry overseeing the festival's objectives and the development of the Indian film industry.
Golden Conch Award: The festival's most prestigious award for Best Documentary, carrying a significant cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival
(MIFF) for Documentary, Short Fiction and
Animation Films, to be held at NFDC Complex,
Mumbai, from 15th to 21st June 2026
Film submissions Open for 19th MIFF, Deadline for
Competition Entries is April 12, 2026
The second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar will be held
from 16th to 18th June 2026 alongside MIFF
Posted On: 10 APR 2026 12:41PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, April 10, 2026
The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary,
Short Fiction and Animation Films, will be organized from 15th to 21st June 2026 at
the NFDC Complex, in Mumbai.
The festival invites documentary filmmakers, film professionals, cineastes, writers,
academics, critics, journalists, students, and enthusiasts from India and across the
world to participate and engage with this vibrant cinematic platform.
Currently, online submission of films for screening in the Competition Section is
underway. The last date for submission is April 12, 2026. Producers, Distributors,
Right Holders or their duly authorized representatives may enter their films only via
the Film Freeway platform (https://filmfreeway.com/MumbaiInternationalFilmFestival-
MIFF) after duly reading the Regulations. No entries will be accepted offline.
MIFF, which is organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, continues to offer one of the most attractive
award packages in the non-feature film segment, with total cash awards amounting to
Rs. 55 lakhs. The prestigious Golden Conch Award for Best Documentary carries a
cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs. The festival also provides a valuable platform for
networking and co-production opportunities.
A key highlight of MIFF 2026 will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar,
scheduled from 16th to 18th June 2026. The Doc Bazaar will feature multiple verticals
including a Co-production Market, Viewing Room, and Work in Progress Lab. It aimsto facilitate connections between global buyers and sellers of non-feature films, while
fostering collaboration and innovation in documentary filmmaking, production, and
distribution. Further details regarding participation in WAVES Doc Bazaar will be
announced shortly on the official MIFF website. Those interested may keep an eye on
https://miff.in/en/waves-doc-bazaar/about-waves-doc-bazaar.
Established in 1990, MIFF is South Asia’s oldest and largest non-feature film festival
and is held biennially. Over the years, the festival has earned a significant reputation
for showcasing excellence in documentary, short fiction, and animation filmmaking,
attracting participation from filmmakers across the globe.
The 18th edition of MIFF witnessed an overwhelming response, featuring over 350
films from more than 30 countries. The festival included International and National
Competition sections, screenings of award-winning films, restored classics, and
specially curated thematic segments.
For further information and updates, contact: miff.india@nfdcindia.com or visit www.m
iff.in
***
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