The MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 took place between 27 October and 5 November 2023 in Mumbai, India.[1] It was the first in-person edition of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was also the final edition with Anupama Chopra serving as the Festival Director. Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair was named the Head of Jury for the South Asia Competition.[2]
The documentary Against the Tide, directed by filmmaker Sarvnik Kaur, won the Golden Gateway Award, while the feature film Bahadur: The Brave by Diwa Shah won the Silver Gateway Award in the South Asia Competition at the festival.[2]
Background
Following the 21st edition of the festival ("Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star"), the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the in-person hosting of the 22nd Mumbai Film Festival in 2020. The in-person event was postponed to 2021, then March 2022, and was eventually cancelled due to 'logistical and financial challenges'.[5]
A number of filmmakers whose films had been chosen for the 22nd edition of the festival protested the cancellation of the event and demanded in-person screenings of their films.[6] However, films from the official selection for this edition of the Mumbai Film Festival were eventually screened online from 24 February to 16 March 2022, in partnership with Shift72.[7]
In February 2023, it was announced that the film festival would be returning as an in-person event later that year, backed by long-standing title partner Jio.[8] This was notably the first edition of the festival to not have the edition number in its title, using the year of the festival instead.
This edition of the festival, which spanned 10 days, also featured more screening venues than previous editions of the festival, expanding from mainstay venues in Andheri, Juhu, Bandra, and Colaba, to multiplexes in Ghatkopar, Malad, and Goregaon.[10]
Opening and closing ceremonies
The festival's opening ceremony took place on 27 October at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. It was attended by stars from across Indian film industries, including MAMI chairperson Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who presented the Excellence in Cinema Award (International) award to Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino.[11] Indian director Mani Ratnam received the Excellence in Cinema (South Asia) award.[12]
In the opening ceremony, Chopra Jonas championed female filmmakers, describing their contribution to cinema as "unparalleled". The Buckingham Murders by Hansal Mehta was screened during the opening ceremony.[11]
The closing ceremony was held on 3 November, and was hosted by India-based French actor Kalki Koechlin. The South Asia Competition Jury awarded the Golden Gateway Award to Against the Tide by Sarvnik Kaur, a documentary about the Koli fishing community in Mumbai. The jury also awarded the Silver Gateway Award to Bahadur: The Brave by Diwa Shah, a feature film about Nepali migrant workers in India; and the Special Jury Award was given to Agra by Kanu Behl.[13]
Priscilla by Sofia Coppola was screened during the closing ceremony. Although the closing ceremony marked the end of the festival's main programming, the most popular titles of the festival continued to be screened on 4 and 5 November.[13]
Juries
The following juries were constituted for this edition of the festival:[14]
South Asia Competition
Mira Nair, Indian-American filmmaker (Head of Jury)
The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 was organised into the following sections:[14]
South Asia Competition – Films from South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, competing for the Golden Gateway Award, amongst other awards.
Focus South Asia – Films from South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, not in competition.
Icons: South Asia – Films from South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, from established filmmakers.
Gala Premieres – Films from South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, that are expected to see wider, mainstream release in the future.
World Cinema – Films from across the world.
Filmmakers' Programme – Debut and second international films, screened exclusively to filmmakers participating in the festival, at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
After Dark – Independent genre films from across the world.
Dimensions Mumbai – Short films set in the city of Mumbai, competing for the Dimensions Mumbai Gold and Silver Awards.
Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films – Short films, competing for the associated Best Film and Best Actor awards.
Play – Premieres of series from streaming services.
Marathi Talkies – Feature-length and short films in the Marathi language.
Restored Classics – Restored classic films from across the world.
Tributes – Films associated with filmmakers, actors, and other film-related individuals who passed away in 2022 or 2023.
Recap – Films selected for the 2020 and 2022 editions of the festival, which did not see theatre screening due to festival cancellation or online screening.
Awards
South Asia Competition
Golden Gateway Award: Against the Tide by Sarvnik Kaur
Silver Gateway Award: Bahadur: The Brave by Diwa Shah