Utpal Datta from Mumbai
The 19th edition of the prestigious Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) concluded on Sunday with a grand closing ceremony honouring outstanding achievements in documentary, short fiction and animation filmmaking from across the world. The festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from filmmakers, industry professionals, students and cinema lovers, reaffirming MIFF’s status as one of the world’s leading platforms for non-feature films.
The coveted Golden Conch Award for Best International Documentary Film, carrying a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, was awarded to the Polish documentary Silver, directed by Natalia Koniarz and produced by Maciej Kubicki. The Silver Conch for Best International Short Fiction Film went to the Iranian film Under The Snow, while the German animation Maya’s Song won the Silver Conch for Best International Animation Film.
In the national competition section, Waai won the Best Indian Documentary Film Award, Small Clouds was adjudged Best Indian Short Fiction Film, and Armstrong from Angaalamman Temple Street received the Best Animation Film Award. Several technical and special jury awards were also presented, recognizing excellence in cinematography, editing, sound design and innovative filmmaking.
Addressing the closing ceremony as Chief Guest, Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma highlighted MIFF’s evolution from a national festival into a global movement celebrating creativity, cultural diversity and meaningful storytelling. Referring to the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), he emphasized India’s vision of becoming a global hub for the creative economy under the theme “Create in India, Create for the World.” He also stressed the need for responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and the protection of filmmakers’ intellectual property rights.
Speaking at the event, NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum revealed that MIFF 2026 received 1,459 film entries from around the world. The competition section featured 144 films from 13 countries, while the non-competition section showcased 202 films from 46 countries across 24 curated segments. New sections such as “Echoes from North East” and “Marathi Films” were introduced this year, reflecting the festival’s commitment to regional storytelling and diverse cinematic voices.
As the curtains came down on MIFF 2026, the festival once again demonstrated the enduring power of documentaries, short fiction and animation films to inform, inspire and foster dialogue across cultures. The global film fraternity now looks ahead to the next edition of MIFF in 2028 and the forthcoming edition of the International Film Festival of India.
