Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival With Star Announces A Powerfully Diverse Lineup For Its 21st Edition

Jyothi Venkatesh

India’s biggest film festival for cinematic disruption and discovery, Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, is set to return with its 21^st edition. The platform announced its stellar film and talent lineup for the upcoming edition at a press conference held in Mumbai attended by MAMI Board of Trustees Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Rohan Sippy, Ajay Bijli,along with Festival Director Anupama Chopra and Artistic Director Smriti Kiran.The MAMI Film Festival is the only festival in India that has become a fast emerging global platform in the last five years. The festival has transformed into the most sought-after event, helmed by contemporary professionals from the industry, attended by global stalwarts and supported by both Indian and International film communities. Through its innovative and well curated programming, the festival has increased its footprint worldwide. The festival has emerged as the most trusted partner for curating and connecting India to National and International content platforms. A platform that brings together both Independent and Mainstream cinema and educates audiences across the world, MAMI has pioneered initiatives that fill gaps and has added value by showcasing the best of Indian and World cinema.

The eight-day festival scheduled to start on 17^th October boasts of over 190 films including over 50 debuts, 13 world premieres, spanning 53 countries and 49 diverse languages. Over the last five years, the festival has established itself as a preferred platform for anything cinema in the country. It brings together the bestcinematic experiences for film enthusiasts and serves as a discovery and launch platform for its filmmakers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAMI THI YEAR

Buzziest titles of the edition:

The festival will open screens across the city to thousands of cinema lovers with some of the best cinema from India and around the world. A few of the big ticket films include Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach, Ad Astra by James Gray, Honey Boy by Alma Har'el, The Souvenir by Joanna Hogg, Midsommar by Ari Aster and Sorry We Missed You by Ken Loach.

Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (International) & Masterclass – Fernando Meirelles:

Multi-talented filmmaker Fernando Meirelles is the force behind the critically acclaimed Brazilian film – City of God. He will be awarded the Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (International).There will be aMasterclass withMeirelles on filmmaking and his new film Two Popes moderated by Festival Director and acclaimed Film Critic Anupama Chopra.

Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (India):

She made her debut with the movieEkBaarPhir in the year 1979. Since then Deepti Naval has acted in more than 60 films. The actor, director, painter and photographer will be awarded the Excellence in Cinema Award 2019 (India). She is known for her substantial contribution to art and cinema, winning critical acclaim for her sensitive portrayal of characters that have emphasized the changing roles of women in India.

Spotlight:

A specially curated out-of-competition section, Spotlight, showcases new and exciting work from both critically acclaimed and breakthrough Indian filmmakers. The section focuses on films that push boundaries and are an example of narrative ambition. This year, the section features five world premieres.

Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha | Dir. Tanuja Chandra | Hindi | Asia Premiere

Cargo | Dir. Arati Kadav | Hindi | World Premiere

Ram Prasad Ki Tehrvi | Dir. Seema Bhargava Pahwa | Hindi | World Premiere

Shut Up Sona | Dir. Deepti Gupta | English | World Premiere

The Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan) | Dir. Kamal Swaroop | Hindi | World Premiere

The Wayfarers (Raahgir) | Dir. Goutam Ghose | Hindi | India Premiere

Oh That’s Bhanu | Dir. R.V Ramani |English, Malayalam, Hindi|World Premiere

Dimensions Mumbai Jury:

The Dimensions Mumbai section showcases films by up-and-coming filmmakers under the age of 25. The lineup promises to offer stories that are sure to keep you at the edge of your seat. The Jury for the Dimensions Mumbai platform this season comprises a dynamic set of individuals from the filmmaking community - TaapseePannu, Avinash Tiwary, author and screenwriter Kanika Dhillon, screenwriter, director and producer Karan Anshuman and Film Editor Shweta Venkat Mathew.

International Competition Jury:

The prestigious International Competition section shines a spotlight on new cinematic voices. It is open to debut filmmakers from all over the world. The top of the line Jury for the section is headed by world renowned filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad. His co-jurors are Julie Huntsinger - Executive Director of Telluride Film Festival, Mark Adams - Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, Filmmaker VetriMaaran and Zoya Akhtar - Director & Screenwriter.

India Gold Jury:

India Gold will showcase breakthrough contemporary Indian films produced in India. The jury comprises Franklin Leonard - Film Producer, Cultural Commentator, Professor & Entrepreneur, Col Needham - Founder & CEO of IMDb, Christian Jeune - Director of the Film Department and Deputy General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival and Grainne Humphreys - Festival Director of Dublin International Film Festival. The 10 films that have been nominated are –

About Love | Dir. Archana Atul Phadke | India | 2019 | 90 min

Bitter Chestnut (Khanaur) | Dir. Gurvinder Singh | India | 2019 | 100 min

Bombay Rose | Dir. Gitanjali Rao | India, United Kingdom, France, Qatar | 2019 | 93 min

Eeb Allay Ooo! | Dir. Prateek Vats | India | 2019 | 98 min

Gamak Ghar | Dir. Achal Mishra | India | 91 min

Invitation (Nimtoh) | Dir. Saurav Rai | India | 2019 | 85 min

Just Like That (Aise Hi) | Dir. Kislay | India | 2019 | 109 min

Pearl of the Desert (Maru ro Moti) | Dir. Pushpendra Singh | India, South Korea | 2019 | 82 min

Aamis | Dir. Bhaskar Hazarika | India | 2019 | 108 min

That Cloud Never Left | Dir. Yashaswini Raghunandan | 2019 | 65 min

 The Industry Program:

With its 21^st edition, the festival introduces a new initiative called the ‘Industry Program’ – a set of highly curated one-on-one sessions that industry professionals will have with Indian and international experts from the world of film. The idea is to bring the industry closer, learn from one another and crush all boundaries.

Opening Film:

Geetu Mohandas' much-awaited and acclaimed film Moothon is the Opening film of this edition. It is the first time in 21 years that a Malayalam language film will be opening the festival and it is the second time for the festival that a film directed by an Indian woman director has been chosen as the Opening Film. Geetu has mounted her film on a large and lavish canvas with a powerful cast headlined by the Malayalam industry dynamo Nivin Pauly.

Isha Ambani, Board of Trustees, MAMI, and Director, Reliance Jio and Reliance Retailsaid, “Over the years, MAMI has established itself as a progressive cinematic medium. Today, Jio MAMI is recognised as a global platform that enables an exchange of ideas and culture that shapes the world of cinema. It is our endeavour at Jio to work with MAMI and use the powerful medium of cinema to impact and propel social change. This year too, there is a truly incredible programme with a stellar line-up of films and directors and we cannot wait for you to experience it.”

A Star India spokesperson said, “At Star, we have always believed that compelling stories can inspire a billion imaginations and influence a better tomorrow. MAMI is a great example of doing just that with its curation of world class cinema. We are happy to associate with MAMI for the sixth year in a row and look forward to celebrating the power of stories.”

Vishal Bhardwaj, MAMI Board Member said, “Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a one of a kind film festival that creates a unique cinematic experience for movie lovers across the country. The lineup is so very diverse and vast. There is an interesting watch for every kind of film enthusiast. I am excited about everything that the festival has to offer this season.”

Zoya Akhtar, MAMI Board Member said, “This is the most exciting time of the year for film lovers in the city. TheJio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is once again set out to put forth the best of world cinema and take the best of Indian cinema to the world. I am especially looking forward to being a part of the International Competition Jury. It’s an opportunity to engage with new and promising talent from across the world.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, Founder and MD, Roy Kapur Films and MAMI Board Member said, “The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a platform that gives new talent the recognition they deserve and the opportunity to begin their journey in the Indian filmmaking industry. Year on year we see some of the biggest names in the ecosystem coming back to showcase their films at the festival – a place from where they once started out. It goes on to show just how much of a community and support the academy has created for new and seasoned creators.”

Rohan Sippy, Filmmaker and MAMI Board Member said, “Films are an integral part of my life. As a filmmaker, I’m honoured to be a part of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star - a sharply curated festival with some of the best talent in India and the world attending it. This edition promises to be no different. I am excited to meet our guests and hear reactions of the delegates to the incredible films that are screening at the festival this year.”

Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director, PVR Ltdsaid, “It gives me immense happiness to see the way Jio MAMI 21^stMumbai Film Festival with Star has been curated. PVR has always envisioned to offer quality and varied content to the viewers. The diverse film line-up will offer exemplary exposure to the movie enthusiasts. There is a significant increase in demand for interesting and innovative storytelling across India and, the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Starwill aptly cater to the same. India has an enormous creative pool, and we endeavor to offer them a platform to showcase their talent. With every edition, we could see an increase in enthusiasm and quality amongst the content creators. Facilitating, encouraging and instilling the movie culture in India has been the foundation of PVR’s business outlook since inception.”

Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, MAMI said, “It is extremely humbling to see the support that we receive each year from the filmmaking community and the delegates. This is a platform that makes way for diverse cinematic voices. With each edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, we aim to bring the world closer together through cinema.”

Smriti Kiran, Artistic Director, MAMI said, “The industry programme for me is key to the Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star. The knowledge sessions and close door masterclasses that are designed I feel will over time help our industry blossom. I am also excited about the way we have chosen the jury. All solid and influential film professionals who will not only weigh in on the films but also have the power to champion and discover the unbridled talent we have in our country.”

Payal Nijhawan, Head of Marketing, William Grant & Sons, said, “William Grant & Sons is extremely excited to bring alive the playfulness of Monkey Shoulder, and a delightfully peculiar Gin experience with Hendrick's, at the Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star. As with the very best in film making, these brands constantly disrupt convention, and re-write the rules of the category."

Akriti Agarwal, C.E.O. Thirsty Beers and Thirsty City 127, said, “As a brand, Thirsty has always been an advocate for the arts in all forms. Possibly the most creative beer company, our crafted brews are themselves a work of art. .Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is a melting pot of creative minds coming together each year to support the fine arts and this year, we at Thirsty couldn’t be happier to partner with a festival that shares our philosophy of prompting talent and endorsing creativity. It is with great pleasure we join hands with Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Starto celebrate splendid cinema.”

Siddharth Roy Kapoor

Smruti, Anupama Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Joya akhtar

Anupama Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Joya akhtar, Rohan sippi

Smruti, Anupama Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Joya akhtar, Rohan sippi, Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Ajay Bijli

Smruti, Anupama Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Joya akhtar, Rohan sippi, Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Ajay Bijli

Rohan sippi

Joya akhtar

Vishal Bhardwaj

Anupama Chopra

Ajay Bijli

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