The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Film Festival is expanding its acclaimed “MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone” program for 2025. This second iteration significantly broadens its scope, encompassing four Indian languages – Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, and Tamil – and boasting a prestigious panel of mentors.
Leading the mentorship are renowned figures from Indian cinema: actor-director Konkona Sen Sharma (“A Death in the Gunj”), and acclaimed filmmakers Lijo Jose Pellissery (“Jallikattu”), Vikramaditya Motwane (“Lootera,” “CTRL”), and Vetrimaaran (“Viduthalai”). These experienced professionals will guide four selected emerging directors throughout the entire filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production.
Each chosen filmmaker will receive a substantial production grant, along with the latest technology – an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a MacBook Pro – to facilitate their creative vision. The program aims to foster diverse voices and storytelling, reflecting the rich tapestry of Indian cinema. Konkona Sen Sharma praised the initiative’s focus on providing a platform for fresh talent, while Lijo Jose Pellissery highlighted its commitment to supporting filmmakers from diverse regions across India. Returning mentor Vikramaditya Motwane expressed his excitement, recalling the impressive quality of the previous year’s films.
The resulting short films, each between 20 and 40 minutes in length, will receive a special premiere screening before being released on MAMI’s YouTube channel. This year marks a significant expansion for the program, as MAMI is opening applications nationwide for the first time, according to festival director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, who hopes to further expand the initiative in the future.
Applications for the 2025 MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone program are open until January 19th.