Polish documentary Silver won the Golden Conch at MIFF 2026 as filmmakers from India and around the world were honoured across documentary, short fiction and animation categories.
Mumbai, June 21: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) concluded on Saturday with the presentation of awards honouring outstanding achievements in documentary, short fiction and animation filmmaking from India and around the world.
The week-long festival, one of Asia's leading platforms for non-feature cinema, brought together filmmakers, producers, students, critics and cinema enthusiasts to celebrate storytelling that explores social realities, human experiences and creative innovation.
The festival's highest honour, the Golden Conch for Best International Documentary Film, was awarded to the Polish documentary Silver, directed by Natalia Koniarz and produced by Maciej Kubicki. The film was recognised for its portrayal of poverty, labour and human dignity through a narrative that resonated beyond geographical boundaries.
The closing ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, members of the film fraternity and participants from several countries.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor described MIFF as a global platform that has grown significantly over the decades, evolving from a national festival into an international movement celebrating creativity and cultural diversity.
He said the creative economy has emerged as an important pillar of growth and pointed to India's efforts to strengthen its position as a global centre for media, entertainment and digital storytelling. Referring to the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), he said initiatives that connect creators and countries can help expand opportunities for artists and storytellers.
The Governor also highlighted the role of documentaries in preserving history, challenging perceptions and encouraging social change. He noted that short films provide space for experimentation and emerging talent, while animation has become an increasingly influential medium for communication, education and cultural expression.
Calling for responsible use of emerging technologies, he stressed the importance of safeguarding filmmakers' intellectual property rights in the era of artificial intelligence.
This year's festival recorded a strong international presence. According to organisers, MIFF 2026 received 1,459 entries from across the world. The competition section featured 144 films, including 52 international and 92 Indian entries, while the non-competition section screened more than 200 films from 46 countries.
Festival Director and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Managing Director Prakash Magdum said documentaries, animation films and short fiction continue to play an important role in reflecting contemporary realities and presenting diverse perspectives.
Among the notable additions this year were the specially curated sections "Echoes from North East," featuring films from the region, and a Marathi cinema showcase organised in collaboration with Maharashtra Film City.
International Competition
Golden Conch – Best International Documentary Film: Silver (Poland) – Director: Natalia Koniarz; Producer: Maciej Kubicki
Silver Conch – Best International Short Fiction Film: Under The Snow (Iran) – Director: Nafiseh Zare
Silver Conch – Best International Animation Film: Maya's Song (Germany) – Directors/Producers: Franziska Schönenberger and Jayakrishnan Subramanian
Best Cinematography: Krish Makhija – Turtle Walker
Best Editing: Evgeny Smirnov and Maksim Smirnov – About the Cow (Russia)
Best Sound Design: Abhay Rumde – Deva Aaj Pan Vhay
National Competition
Silver Conch – Best Indian Documentary Film: Waai – Director: Sainath S. Uskaikar
Silver Conch – Best Indian Short Fiction Film: Small Clouds – Director: Shubham Sumit
Silver Conch – Best Indian Animation Film: Armstrong from Angaalamman Temple Street – Director and Producer: Bhuvanesh M. Kumar
Best Cinematography: Ranadhir Biswas – Small Clouds
Best Editing: Akhil Krishnan – MAYDAY
Best Sound Design: Bigyna Dahal – Kovarty
Special Awards
FIPRESCI International Critics Prize: Pradeep Kenchanuru – The Hug of Emptiness
IDPA Award for Best Student Film: Milan Kumar – The Old Bull Knows, or Once Knew
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director: Pooja Tolani – Raaza
Pramod Pati Special Jury Award for Most Innovative/Experimental Film: Chuan-Ying Liao (Taiwan) – The Hoarders
Best Short Film on Viksit Bharat / 150 Years of Vande Mataram / Bharat@2026: The Last Shelter
The festival also recognised winners with cash awards across major categories. The Golden Conch winner received a cash award of 10 lakh, while the principal Silver Conch winners in the international categories received 5 lakh each. National category winners received awards ranging from 3 lakh to 5 lakh.
The closing ceremony marked the end of a festival that showcased stories from different cultures, languages and regions, reaffirming the growing importance of documentary, short fiction and animation cinema in contemporary filmmaking.
With MIFF 2026 now concluded, attention within India's film festival circuit is expected to shift towards the next edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), while filmmakers and audiences look ahead to the return of MIFF in 2028.
