More power to women filmmakers

Watch 152 films from 52 countries as part of the Mumbai Women’s International Film Festival, starting this Saturday

Started with an aim to give young women filmmakers, screenwriters and technicians a dedicated platform to showcase their works, the Mumbai Women International Film Festival (MWIFF) is back for another cinematic experience; this time, spread over eight days.

The Grand Seduction from Canada

The film festival, which opens on December 6 with The Grand Seduction by Don McKellar, starring Taylor Kitsch (actor of X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Brendon Gleeson (Edge of Tomorrow and Calvary), will screen a total of 152 films from 52 countries. The entries will compete in four categories — short films (78), short documentaries (27) full length documentaries (24) and feature films (24).

A Daughter's Dream from India

“MWIFF’s main focus has always been to promote independent cinema as well as to give young female filmmakers, screenwriters and technicians a platform to showcase their work,” says Ravi Hathalia, head of Film Department, MWIFF. The festival received over 450 entries this year from 52 countries, and it was a difficult task for the jury to select the final 152 films.

German film Iris Mute

Hathalia adds that the maximum number of international entries were from Germany. Genres and topics for films were kept open this year, barring the condition that each film participating in MWIFF has to have a women filmmaker, or screenwriter or technician as part of the team.

Flying (Fliegen) from Germany

“There’s a need for a niche film festival like this, especially to give youngsters a platform to showcase their work. We have some popular women filmmakers, screenwriters and technicians in the film industry, but still, the numbers are low. Besides, young filmmakers and technicians don’t get many opportunities to showcase their work. We hope this festival will inspire them to continue, and encourage other young women to take up filmmaking,”reveals Hathalia.

Currently in its third edition, MWIFF has introduced a few changes too. First, all films will compete in their respective categories; secondly, the festival’s duration has now been been increased to eight days. A music concert will be staged at the end of the festival that will feature bands such as Unemployed, Lakshmi Bomb and Kashmir.

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