21.06.2026: Governor calls for responsible use of AI in film-making at Closing Ceremony of MIFF 2026
Governor calls for responsible use of AI in film-making at Closing Ceremony of MIFF 2026
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma presided over the Closing Ceremony of the 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for Short Fiction, Documentary and Animation films at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai on Sun (21 Jun).
Addressing the gathering of film makers and film lovers, the Governor cautioned that while Artificial Intelligence offers enormous possibilities for the creative sector, it must be used wisely and responsibly. He said AI is a powerful disruptor and stressed the need to safeguard the intellectual property rights of filmmakers and creators.
The Governor said over the years MIFF has emerged as one of the most prestigious festivals in the world dedicated to documentary, short fiction and animation films. He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai last year, which reinforced India’s aspiration to emerge as a global hub for the creative economy and digital storytelling.
The Governor expressed satisfaction that MIFF had received 1,459 film entries from 46 countries of the world. He said the festival featured films in more than 42 Indian languages and 30 international languages, reflecting the rich diversity of cultures and human experiences across the world.
Speaking about documentaries, the Governor said that documentary films occupy a special place in society as they capture reality, preserve history, challenge assumptions and inspire social transformation. They amplify the voices of communities and bring attention to issues that shape the future of society.
Observing that India possesses the largest youthful population in the world, the Governor called for greater encouragement to young filmmakers, particularly from rural and tribal communities, to tell stories rooted in their daily lives, traditions and struggles. He also urged greater participation of women filmmakers so that their unique perspectives and experiences can enrich the country’s storytelling landscape. He noted that technological advancements have become a great enabler in democratizing filmmaking and expanding creative opportunities.
The Governor said in his capacity as Chancellor of 29 universities in Maharashtra, he would propose greater collaboration between MIFF and the media and entertainment departments of universities across the State. Such collaboration, he said, would provide students with valuable exposure to global cinematic trends and encourage the development of future creative talent.
The Governor presented the Golden Conch award for the Best Documentary Film to the film ‘Silver’ from Poland. He also presented the Best Short Fiction film award (Silver Conch) to “Under The Snow’ from Iran and Best Animation Film in the International Category (Silver Conch) to Maya’s Song from Germany. Renowned filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker presented the Best Sound, Best Editor and Best Cinematographer Awards in the International Category on the occasion.
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Prabhat Kumar, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry Deepak Narain, Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation Prakash Magdum, Secretary of Marathi Language and Cultural Affairs Dr Kiran Kulkarni and Joint Secretary to the Governor S Ramamoorthy were among those present.