Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 exclusive: Anupama Chopra on the extravaganza at NMACC

By Shweta Parande

The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has been organising an international film festival in Mumbai for 26 years. Barring the times of the pandemic, it has consistently held a well-curated festival every year and enthralled fans with its selection and masterclasses. CineBlitz spoke to eminent journalist Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, who revealed that the festival is going to be bigger and better this time.

MAMI 2023 dates and new initiatives

The 2023 Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival (MFF) will be held from October 27 to November 5, at various venues in the city. This year, two main initiatives are new at the festival – the inclusion of South Asian filmmakers in a major way, and the addition of the newly opened Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) as a festival hub.

South Asian filmmakers at MAMI

For the first time in its 26-year history, the MAMI Mumbai Film Fest will be focussing on South Asian films. It’s a great opportunity to present films from the region and also project MAMI as a major international film festival for all regions.

Upon being asked if there are any South Asian filmmakers invited at the festival, Anupama Chopra and another member of the MAMI festival team told CB that there will be several South Asian filmmakers arriving in Mumbai to represent their films. In fact, there will be as many as 20 red carpets, screenings / premieres and other events happening at the NMACC at Bandra-Kurla Complex every day.

Jio, the major sponsor of the MFF for years now, is a company owned by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, who also own the Jio World Convention Centre that houses the family’s NMACC.

Like every year, apart from film screenings and interactions, MAMI 2023 will have workshops and masterclasses for film enthusiasts at various venues across Mumbai, and especially at the NMACC.

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Anupama Chopra has been spearheading the resurrection and progress of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival for years now. With Jio being an active supporter and now the addition of the newly opened NMACC as part of its list of venues, the latest edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival promises to be a festival bonanza and extravaganza like never before.

The 2023 edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will have over 40 World Premieres, 45 Asia Premieres and more than 70 South Asia Premieres. The South Asia programme has been successful, with more than 1000 eligible submissions. MAMI this year will focus on contemporary films and new filmmakers / creators from South Asia.

The Head of Jury of the South Asia Competition at the 2023 Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will be Mira Nair, Indian-American filmmaker boasting of a great repertoire, including Salaam Bombay!, The Namesake, Queen of Katwe, Monsoon Wedding, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, and more.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mira Nair as the head of the jury – South Asia Competition. Mira is the OG Disruptor! She has created an indelible mark on global cinema with her outstanding work,” said Anupama Chopra in a statement.