The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) today featured an insightful panel discussion on the topic, “Dissemination of Shorts: Penetration, Reach, and Exposure,” attended by distinguished filmmakers and industry experts. Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck , filmmaker and head of Berlinale Shorts, opened the discussion with a compelling analogy, likening short films to poetry. “Short film is like a poem.
With each viewing, you will explore something new and amazing,” she remarked. She also highlighted the prominence of Berlinale Shorts, one of the world’s largest short film festivals. Anna encouraged filmmakers to see constraints like limited funds and resources as opportunities for creativity.
“With one wonderful idea, you can make a beautiful film even through an iPhone.” Saameer Mody, founder and managing director of Pocket Films, emphasized India’s potential as a market for short films despite its strong feature film industry. “Short film is a simple yet powerful medium of storytelling.
It’s the medium through which you can portray reality,” Saameer said. He discussed the digital revolution’s role in helping content find its audience, stressing the need for proper platforms to facilitate this discovery. Saameer also addressed funding challenges, advising filmmakers to explore opportunities and find ways themselves.
“Somebody else can never fund your dream,” he asserted. Tisca Chopra , a renowned actress, asserted that short films are valuable i.