Matribhumi Samachar English
Fourteen films including three Indian films are competing for the Golden Conch award for Best Documentary Film at the ongoing Mumbai International Film Festival this year. A total of 25 films are selected for the International Competition section which includes separate categories for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films.
While the best International film in Documentary category will grab the Golden Conch award along with a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, the Best International Short Fiction Film and Animation Film will be bestowed with a Silver Conch award and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each.
Apart from this there is also a Special Jury Award- Pramod Pati Award for Most Innovative/Experimental Film. Further, three Technical Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Sound Design will be presented which is common to both National and International Competition sections. Five films are being featured in International Non-Competition PRISM section.
Jury for International Competition comprise eminent film personalities from across the world like Keiko Bang, Barthélemy Fougea, Audrius Stonys, Bharat Bala, and Manas Choudhary. The documentaries in the International Competition section cover a diverse range of themes, delving deeply into personal and societal issues. One significant theme is the resilience and personal journeys of individuals in the face of adversity. “Lovely Jackson”, documentary from US directed by Matt Waldeck chronicles the harrowing yet inspiring story of Rickey Jackson, who was wrongly incarcerated for 39 years and returns to reclaim his life and guide his younger self. Similarly, “Hyphen”, an Arabic/English documentary from Lebanon follows the challenging journey of a woman struggling with addiction, exploring themes of personal growth, societal oppression, and the fight for identity and freedom. “Dhorpatan: No Winter Holidays” a Nepali documentary depicts the tale of two elderly rivals who must put aside their past conflicts to survive together in their deserted village, highlighting themes of reconciliation and endurance in the twilight of life.
Another prominent theme is the exploration of socio-economic and cultural challenges faced by communities. “Against the Tide”, the Indian documentary by Sarvnik Kaur presents the contrasting lives of two fisherman brothers, serving as a metaphor for the broader societal conflicts between tradition and modernity. “The Golden Thread” the Indian documentary film by Nishtha Jain sheds light on the labor-intensive jute industry in Kolkata, revealing the harsh realities of industrial labor. “Contos do Esquecimento” directed by Dulce Fernandes uncovers Portugal’s forgotten role in the transatlantic slave trade, bringing historical injustices to the forefront.
The personal impact of global events is depicted in Persian documentary “Majaraye Sale Akhar,” which captures the struggles of an elementary school teacher adapting to the digital age during the pandemic. Through these varied narratives, the documentaries collectively underscore the intersection of personal struggles and larger socio-political contexts, offering profound insights into human resilience, memory, and the quest for justice and identity. ‘Karparaa’ by Vignesh Kumulai is the third documentary in in International Competition section of MIFF.
The Animation section and Short Fiction section of the International Competition section also features Indian films ‘Return of The Jungle’ directed by Vaibhav Kumaresh, ‘Men In Blue’ directed by Sachin Dheeraj Mudigonda, ‘The Dude And The White Rose’ directed by Jaya Suriya and ‘Shanti’ directed by Vivek Rai. This year, the International Competition section of MIFF showcases films from Italy, Poland, China, US, Portugal, Netherlands, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Nepal, Iran, Czech Republic, UK, Serbia, Estonia, Russia and Gautemala.
