Documentaries,short fiction,AI ideas,mental health,relationships… lot is happening under one roof .
And big focus this time is Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) initiative,which is basically giving emerging filmmakers space to show short fiction films . I like this part because new voices usually bring stories which feel raw,odd,sometimes messy,but still very human.
Among films getting attention,Gullu directed by Arshaly Jose sounds really simple at first . Man named Gulshan loses his phone while in Goa and then finds comfort through unexpected friendship with driver named Salim. But honestly,that kind of small story can hit harder than big dramatic setup sometimes .
Then there is Hey Maya directed by Suryansh Deo Srivastava,where couple depends on AI relationship advisor and things go in direction they probably did not expect . Same Srivastava also has Lovefix Subscription,which looks at funny side of woman subscribing to service meant for ‘upgrading’ her boyfriend . Very 2026 problem only.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) is pushing hidden gems in short fiction films .
- Gullu,Hey Maya and Lovefix Subscription are exploring technology,relationships,and mental health.
- MIFF also brought in discussions around editing,OTT documentaries and AI in cinema.
And tbh,AI angle is interesting because festival is not treating it like some magic replacement for people . The showcase talked about how AI can enhance storytelling rather than replace human creativity,and that distinction matters ah.
Masterclass by Federico Atehortúa Arteaga also seems like one heavy but fascinating session . In ‘The Philosophy of Montage: Unveiling the Folds’,he spoke about evolution of film editing after World War II,and how filmmakers slowly moved away from rigid storytelling toward more abstract narratives. That shift from realism to abstract expressionism comparison actually makes sense when you think about modern editing.
But another session I would personally want to attend is Deepa Bhatia’s workshop . She is known for Taare Zameen Par and My Name Is Khan,and she spoke about understanding footage calmly and with focus. Her point about editor manipulating time through transitions,using Rock On!! as example,sounds like something film students would remember for long time .
At same time,Impact of OTT on Documentaries discussion also feels very relevant rn,because streaming platforms have changed how documentaries are made,watched and even funded . Earlier documentary space felt limited,but now audience is wider and expectations are also different.
And maybe that is what MIFF is showing this year,new filmmakers are not waiting for perfect formula anymore . They are mixing phones,AI,love,loneliness,editing experiments,OTT habits… and somewhere inside all this,cinema is changing quietly in front of us…
