- The first ever Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films was held in the year 1990, which was inaugurated by the then Hon'ble Vice President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producer's Association. The city of Mumbai is declared as the permanent venue of the festival.
- M.I.F.F. is one of the most prestigious festival for short and animation films now recognized on par with topmost International Film Festival like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow, Tampere etc.
- Apart from the Competition Section M.I.F.F. also holds following sections:
1. Homage
2. Retrospective & Special Packages
3. Open Forum & Seminar
- Considering the enormous amount of entries from various countries and within India, M.I.F.F. has introduced a separate national competition section since the year 1998.
- M.I.F.F. is a platform for the documentary film makers to meet, interact and exchange ideas. M.I.F.F. attracts the best of films made all over the world on varied subjects.
- Although it is conducted by Films Division, a Government of India organization, it gives an opportunity and platform for dissenting voices which is essential in a democratic country.
- Many internationally renowned film makers like Nagisa Oshima, Werner Kobe, Krzysztof Zanussi, Peter Wintonik, etc. participated in the festival as Jury / participants.
- This is the only festival which has highest award of Rs.5.00 lakhs and a Golden Conch as top honours
- On an average, more than 45-50 countries participate in every edition of the festival.
- M.I.F.F. honours a veteran documentary film maker with the "Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award". The existing cash component of the award is Rs.5.00 lakhs with Trophy.
- Keeping in view the Government's policy of close co-operation among the South Asian countries, M.I.F.F. hosts a package of documentary films from all the Seven South Asian countries.
- To promote and encourage documentary film movement in the North Eastern regions and Jammu & Kashmir, M.I.F.F. showcases a special package of films from these regions. To ensure active participation, M.I.F.F. invites the film makers from North East whose films are screened / selected in the festival.
- M.I.F.F. also reaches out to the far plunge states such as North East and the states where documentary film culture is not evident by showcasing the package of M.I.F.F. award winning films.
- Many young film makers vouch for the fact that the M.I.F.F. has inspired them in many ways. The recent trend of M.I.F.F. is that it not only attracts the film students but also large number of mass communication students from various parts of the country.
- M.I.F.F.- 2010 received 864 entries, an all time record. Nearly 4000 delegates participated in M.I.F.F.- 2010.
- 12th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films will be held from February 3rd to 9th, 2012 in the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point, Mumbai.
- For entry forms, rules & regulations of M.I.F.F.- 2012 please contact:
FILMS DIVISION
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India
24-Dr. G. Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai - 400 026, INDIA
Tel. : +91 (22) 2351 3176, 2351 6931, 2351 3633
Fax: - +91 (22) 2351 5308 / 2351 1008
E-mail: - miffindia@gmail.com , miffindia@miffindia.in
Websites: - www.miffindia.in & www.filmsdivision.org
