The MAMI Mumbai Film Festival concluded its spectacular 2024 edition with a star-studded closing ceremony at PVR INOX, Juhu. The event celebrated the incredible talent showcased over the festival’s duration, which featured more than 110 films from over 45 countries, highlighting its status as one of South Asia’s most influential film festivals.
Major Awards
The festival’s prestigious awards were presented by a distinguished jury, honouring excellence across multiple categories:
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Golden Gateway Award: Rhythm of a Flower (Phool Ka Chand) by Amit Dutta
Silver Gateway Award: Nocturnes by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan
Special Jury Prize: The Fable by Raam Reddy
Special Mention: Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati
The NETPAC jury also recognised significant works:
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NETPAC Special Mention: Shambala by Min Bahadur Bham and Agent of Happiness by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó
NETPAC Award: Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati
In the Dimensions Mumbai section:
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Gold Award: BMCLD by Shreela Agarwal
Silver Award: A Tale of Two Cities by Sameeha Sabnis and I Was Painted Red by Bhagyesh Rajeshirke
For short films, the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films Jury honoured:
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Best Film: Ade (On A Sunday) by Theja Rio
Special Jury Prize: Coming Back to Life (Et Moi, Je Revis) by Mantra Watsa
The Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award went to Girls Will Be Girls for its progressive narrative challenging traditional gender roles.
Additional accolades included:
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Best Book on Cinema: The Age of Heroes: The Incredible World of Telugu Cinema by Mukesh Manjunath
Rashid Irani Best Young Critic: Sarth Patel, with runners-up Saanvi Tara Dwivedi and Rushnan Jaleel
Rashid Irani Young Critics Choice Award: Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati
Excellence in Cinema Award: Shabana Azmi for her outstanding contributions to film.
Closing Ceremony Highlights
The closing ceremony featured notable attendees from the film community, including Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chaddha, and Ali Fazal. Chaddha expressed her gratitude while accepting an award for her co-production, emphasising the importance of creative freedom and the cultural significance of Indian cinema.
Shuchi Talati, upon receiving her awards, reflected on the perceived divide between independent and commercial cinema, advocating for a broader appreciation of diverse storytelling. Ali Fazal shared insights into filmmaking, highlighting the invaluable learning experiences for the actors involved.
The festival wrapped up with the South Asia premiere of Sean Baker’s Anora, a highly anticipated film that explores the complex life of a Brooklyn sex worker entangled with the Russian mafia.
