The 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2024) concluded last night with a grand celebration of outstanding talent in national and international cinema. As Festival Director Prithul Kumar mentioned, this edition of MIFF marked the highest number of delegates and film registrations.
The curtains came down, featuring a diverse line-up of 314 films from 59 countries across 61 languages. The prestigious awards ceremony, held at the National Centre for Performing Arts Mumbai, saw Indian documentary ‘The Golden Thread’ directed by Nishita Jain clinching the coveted Golden Couch Award. In the special category of ‘India in Amrit Kaal’, director Edmond Ranson was conferred with the Best Short Film award for ‘Life in Loom’.
Sreemoyi Singh grabbed the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director for her film ‘And Towards Happy Alleys’. In the National Competition category, ‘6-A Akash Ganga’ won the Silver Conch Award for best documentary. The Best Short Fiction Silver Conch was Grabbed by ‘Salt’. Whereas ‘Nirjara’ of NID Ahmedabad was conferred with the Silver Conch for Best Animation.
In the international competition category, ‘Zima’ from Poland won the Silver Conch for Best Animation, and ‘Sour Milk’ from Estonia grabbed the Silver Conch for Best Short Fiction. Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, was the chief guest in the closing ceremony of the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival. He lauded filmakers as the real gem for the country.