Mumbai Film Festival 2025 canceled, MAMI plans major revamp
What's the story
The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has announced that the 2025 edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will not take place. The festival, which has been a key part of Mumbai's cinematic landscape for nearly three decades, will be revamped and return in 2026. This is the first time in 28 years that the festival has been canceled, sparking reactions from cinephiles and industry insiders alike.
Official statement
'We're revamping the festival...': MAMI's official statement
The official X account of MAMI shared a statement from Festival Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur on Monday morning. The statement read, "This is to inform you that the 2025 edition of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will not take place as we are in the process of revamping the festival with a dynamic vision and a new team to ensure that it returns as a premier showcase for independent, regional and classic cinema."
Twitter Post
Here's the statement
The Festival Director of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, makes an important announcement:#MAMI #MumbaiFilmFestival pic.twitter.com/c3Z1ZDwzxK
— MAMI Mumbai Film Festival (@MumbaiFilmFest) July 21, 2025
Industry reaction
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta expresses disappointment
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment over the cancelation. He wrote, "It's a cruel irony that Mumbai draped in the glitz of being India's financial and cinematic capital cannot keep alive a film festival of its own." "Abandoned by the self-appointed gatekeepers of cinema who chased shinier stages and safer bets, it was left in the hands of a few passionate believers to run on pure faith."
Twitter Post
Here's what Mehta said
It’s a cruel irony that Mumbai draped in the glitz of being India’s financial and cinematic capital cannot keep alive a film festival of its own.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) July 21, 2025
Abandoned by the self-appointed gatekeepers of cinema who chased shinier stages and safer bets it was left in the hands of a few… https://t.co/Y2BPYoEPUr
Festival history
Jio's withdrawal and changes in leadership
The MAMI Film Festival, founded in 1997 by a public trust based in Mumbai, has seen many prominent figures associated with it over the years. Actors like Aamir Khan have supported it financially, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Kiran Rao have chaired it. However, after Jio withdrew as the title sponsor last year, the festival faced challenges. Dungarpur took over as Festival Director last year after Anupama Chopra stepped down from her role.