The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, renowned for its commitment to bringing the best of contemporary cinema to the city of Mumbai, is set to introduce exciting additions to its 2023 edition.

In a dynamic collaboration, Jio MAMI is teaming up with Civic Studios, a production house specializing in entertainment with a focus on social change, to ignite impactful conversations during the festival.

As per a press release, the festival will introduce the “LIGHTS CAMERA IMPACT AWARD,” presented by Civic Studios. This award aims to recognize and spotlight two compelling short films centered around themes of climate, sexuality, and caste.

The intention is to honour films that initiate discussions on often-overlooked, socially relevant subjects. Each winner will receive a trophy and a cash prize of INR 1,00,000, to be presented to the directors. This award is a celebration of storytellers who use their medium to convey powerful, meaningful narratives.

As part of this collaboration, the festival will host a Climate Change-themed party titled “Too Hot to Handle.” Drawing inspiration from the “climate fresk” parties popular in Europe, this event aims to put the issue of climate change in the spotlight through an engaging and entertaining format, fostering a can-do spirit about the future.

The event will feature renowned comedian Abish Mathew hosting a climate change-themed game show and a walk-through exhibit showcasing climate action stories. Targeted at the film industry insiders in India, it seeks to enhance climate literacy and raise awareness of how filmmakers can positively contribute as artists and filmmakers to the climate change conversation. The event itself is committed to being a zero-waste occasion.

Anushka Shah, Founder of Civic Studios, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We believe in the transformative power of cinema, and partnering with an important platform like MAMI is a tremendous opportunity to bring that to life. The LIGHTS CAMERA IMPACT award is an initiative to highlight and encourage fresh talent driven towards social impact, while the climate change party is a way for all of us to learn and take action while having a good time.”

Deepti DCunha, Artistic Director of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, added, “Jio MAMI is committed to showcasing films that not only entertain but also inspire and create discussions. We are excited to have Civic Studios on board to support independent filmmakers who use their cinema to spark conversations about social issues.”