The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), organisers of the prestigious MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, has announced the third edition of its acclaimed initiative ‘MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone’, continuing its mission to empower emerging filmmakers across India.
Building on the success of its previous editions, the programme will once again provide a unique platform for aspiring filmmakers to create original short films using cutting-edge yet accessible technology. Through a nationwide open call, four filmmakers will be selected to create short films ranging between 20 and 40 minutes in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Bengali—with Bengali being introduced for the first time.
Each selected filmmaker will receive an iPhone 17 Pro Max for shooting and a MacBook Pro for editing, along with mentorship from an exceptional panel of filmmakers that includes National Award-winning director Sriram Raghavan, acclaimed filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee, writer-director Geetu Mohandas, and internationally recognised filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane. The mentors will guide the participants through every stage of the filmmaking process—from pre-production to post-production—encouraging bold storytelling through innovative use of technology.
The call for entries is now open, inviting applications from filmmakers across the country. Detailed guidelines and application procedures are available on MAMI’s official website, with submissions closing on 4 January 2026 at 7 PM IST.
Speaking about the initiative, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Festival Director, MAMI, said, “After a very successful edition of MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone this year, I am delighted to announce the third edition of this programme through which MAMI supports emerging independent filmmakers with technological support, a fantastic cohort of mentors and a platform to showcase their work. This year we are fortunate to have on board four superb mentors: Sriram Raghavan, Dibakar Banerjee, Geetu Mohandas and Chaitanya Tamhane and once again we are looking for regional short films in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and, for the first time, in Bengali. Like last year, we are anticipating an excellent response to our call out for submissions as I know that there are thousands of passionate filmmakers just waiting for the opportunity to tell their stories and MAMI is committed to enabling them to achieve their dream.”
The mentors also shared their enthusiasm for the programme. Sriram Raghavan noted, “A short film can go a long way. I totally look forward to the MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone programme. It’s a terrific opportunity for budding filmmakers. I hope to learn a few things too.”
Dibakar Banerjee added, “This is one of the most exciting mentorship roles I’ve ever stepped into. A young film maker, an iPhone and sky is the limit. I wish I had this when I was starting out. Kudos to MAMI.”
Geetu Mohandas reflected on the creative spirit of the initiative, stating, “I am truly excited to be mentoring as part of the MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone programme. The idea of empowering emerging storytellers to create cinema using something as accessible and intimate as an iPhone feels incredibly special to me. Filmmaking isn’t defined by equipment, but by intention, imagination and courage. What excites me most is not just the technical exploration, but the opportunity to witness each filmmaker discover their own voice. I’m looking forward to learning together, questioning together, and most importantly- making cinema together. Being able to pass that energy forward is an honour.”
Chaitanya Tamhane shared a similar sentiment, saying, “I’m thrilled and honoured to associate with MAMI and be part of this endeavour. It’s a programme that empowers filmmakers to tell their stories using imagination, clarity and the tools at hand. It embodies the true spirit of independent filmmaking, and I’m eager to see what emerges from this year’s edition. I look forward to supporting another filmmaker’s vision — and to learning from the creative dialogue that unfolds along the way.”
The completed films will premiere at a special screening event before being released on MAMI’s YouTube channel, ensuring wide accessibility and audience engagement.
Since its inception, ‘MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone’ has underscored MAMI’s commitment to nurturing new talent and amplifying diverse cinematic voices. As the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival looks ahead to its 2026 edition, the initiative stands as a testament to the organisation’s vision of shaping the future of Indian cinema through innovation, inclusivity and storytelling excellence.
