The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has confirmed that its annual Mumbai Film Festival will not stage a 2025 edition, breaking a nearly three‑decade run as the city’s marquee cinema showcase. Interim festival director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur said the pause will allow a “complete revamp” that introduces a new logo, programming strategy and management structure ahead of a planned 2026 relaunch. Organisers want the overhaul to deepen ties with local audiences, widen support for emerging Indian voices and rebuild sponsorship after years of financial strain.
The decision follows a downsized 2024 edition that screened about 110 films across three venues after the festival struggled to secure a title sponsor. Industry insiders trace the festival’s money troubles to earlier pull‑outs by major backers, a gap COVID‑19 shutdowns only widened. Despite lean resources, the 2024 event drew strong attendance and presented the Golden Gateway Award to Amit Dutta’s Rhythm of a Flower, underscoring its cultural heft.
Reactions to the hiatus were swift. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta called the cancellation “a cruel irony” for a city that positions itself as the heart of Indian cinema, urging authorities to treat the festival as civic infrastructure rather than a luxury. Others welcomed the breathing room, noting that rushed editions risked diminishing the festival’s curatorial standards and international profile.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains chair of the MAMI trust and has endorsed the makeover, telling stakeholders the break is “an investment in longevity” for an event she wants to see rival Busan and Toronto in market reach. While full details of the new format are under wraps, Dungarpur hinted at year‑round satellite screenings and a stronger digital presence to keep cinephiles engaged until the festival’s physical return. Dates for the 2026 edition will be announced once venue negotiations conclude later this year.
