Young filmmakers from across India are bringing stories of culture, identity, family and resilience to the forefront at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) through the “Emerging Voices: Film School Edition” section.
The segment, which also features films from renowned institutions in France and Germany, includes 27 films from film schools across India, including the Northeast. The films explore a range of themes, including social issues, hope, human relationships and changing realities, and are being screened throughout the festival.
Participating institutions include the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune; Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata; Auroville Film Institute, Tamil Nadu; Biju Pattnaik Film and Television Institute of India, Cuttack; Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute, Assam; National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; RV University, Karnataka; Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak; and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
Several films focus on preserving local traditions and cultural heritage. FTII’s In Search of Stone explores people’s connection with ancient sites and raises questions about their conservation, while SRFTI’s Black Clay (Khiew Ramew) highlights traditional crafts and the need to preserve them for future generations.
Other films examine the challenges of everyday life. SRFTI’s Durjog portrays how financial hardship can force people into difficult choices, while The Last Herd (Moishal) depicts loss and resilience in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Themes of family and personal relationships also find prominence. Cape of Good Hope explores the responsibilities of caregiving and their impact on families, while Nagaland, A Visual Poem reflects on love, memory and people’s emotional connection with places they call home.
The aspirations and struggles of young people are captured in L-EARN (Taal-Mel), which follows young musicians and highlights how art can instill confidence, purpose and hope even in challenging circumstances.
Rooted in local communities and lived experiences, the films in the “Emerging Voices: Film School Edition” offer audiences a glimpse into India’s diverse cultural landscape while showcasing the creativity and perspectives of a new generation of filmmakers.
