PVR Inox Partners with MAMI for Weekly Indie Film Screenings in Mumbai Aimed at National Distribution

PVR Inox Pictures, the distribution arm of India's largest multiplex chain, has partnered with the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) to launch the MAMI Independent weekly screening series. The program, which started on February 25, 2024, takes place every Wednesday at PVR Lido in Mumbai. It serves as a platform to discover independent films for potential national distribution.

The series has attracted strong initial attendance. PVR Inox Pictures plans to distribute standout titles identified through the screenings across India. The initiative addresses challenges in independent cinema access amid India's expanding multiplex infrastructure.

Independent features a pan-Indian selection of films, including features and shorts in languages such as Ladakhi, Khasi, Kashmiri, and Malayalam.

" International films from Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are scheduled for later months. A team of three to four programmers curates the content to showcase new voices from different parts of India. The program differs from historical film societies by providing accessible screening spaces in commercial multiplexes.

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of the Mumbai Film Festival and head of the Film Heritage Foundation, oversees the creative direction.

Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Inox Pictures, stated that the series functions as a discovery mechanism for theatrical releases.

PVR Inox Pictures, already active in importing and releasing international independent films, will handle distribution for promising titles from the program. " — Kamal Gianchandani, April 2024 (Variety) Independent Indian filmmakers have historically faced limited multiplex access.

Gianchandani noted that screen availability is no longer the primary issue, given India's multiplex footprint exceeding 10,000 screens.