MAMI launches third edition of ‘Filmed on iPhone’ with renowned filmmakers as mentors

Designed to nurture and uplift emerging talent, the programme aims to equip aspiring filmmakers with the resources, mentorship, and technological support required to create impactful short films.

The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), the organisation behind the esteemed MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, has officially announced the third edition of its highly acclaimed initiative, MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone.

Designed to nurture and uplift emerging talent, the programme aims to equip aspiring filmmakers with the resources, mentorship, and technological support required to create impactful short films.

Through an open call for submissions, MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone will select four filmmakers from all over India for its most recent edition. The chosen filmmakers will create 20–40 minute short films in Marathi, Bengali, Hindi, and Malayalam. Each participant will receive a MacBook Pro for editing and an iPhone 17 Pro Max for filming, in addition to practical guidance from a superb group of seasoned professionals.

Several National Award-winning directors, Sriram Raghavan, renowned director Dibakar Banerjee, writer-director Geetu Mohandas, and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane are among the esteemed group of mentors.

Applications for the programme are now open to aspiring filmmakers nationwide. Detailed eligibility criteria and submission guidelines can be found on the official MAMI website at www.mumbaifilmfestival.com. The deadline for entries is January 4, 2026, at 7 PM IST.

By identifying four emerging filmmakers from diverse regions of India, the programme continues to amplify a wide range of voices and storytelling perspectives within Indian cinema.

Upon completion, the selected short films will premiere at a special screening event and will subsequently be released on MAMI’s official YouTube channel, ensuring accessibility to a wider audience and greater viewer engagement.

Speaking about the announcement, MAMI Festival Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur said, “After a very successful edition of MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone this year, I am delighted to announce the third edition of this programme through which MAMI supports emerging independent filmmakers with technological support, a fantastic cohort of mentors and a platform to showcase their work. This year we are fortunate to have on board four superb mentors: Sriram Raghavan, Dibakar Banerjee, Geetu Mohandas and Chaitanya Tamhane and once again we are looking for regional short films in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and, for the first time, in Bengali. Like last year, we are anticipating an excellent response to our call out for submissions as I know that there are thousands of passionate filmmakers just waiting for the opportunity to tell their stories and MAMI is committed to enabling them to achieve their dream.”

Expressing his enthusiasm for the programme, Sriram Raghavan stated, "A short film can go a long way. I totally look forward to the MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone programme. It's a terrific opportunity for budding filmmakers. I hope to learn a few things too.”

Dibakar Banerjee shared his excitement, saying, “This is one of the most exciting mentorship roles I’ve ever stepped into. A young film maker, an iPhone and sky is the limit. I wish I had this when I was starting out. Kudos to MAMI.”

Geetu Mohandas added, “I am truly excited to be mentoring as part of the MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone programme. The idea of empowering emerging storytellers to create cinema using something as accessible and intimate as an iPhone feels incredibly special to me. Filmmaking isn’t defined by equipment, but by intention, imagination and courage. What excites me most is not just the technical exploration, but the opportunity to witness each filmmaker discover their own voice. I’m looking forward to learning together, questioning together, and most importantly- making cinema together. Being able to pass that energy forward is an honour.”

MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone once again highlights MAMI’s unwavering dedication to nurturing new talent and celebrating cinematic diversity in India. By offering emerging filmmakers the right tools, expert mentorship, and a prominent platform, MAMI continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of Indian cinema.