Mumbai Film Festival slammed for excluding Pakistan amidst calls for South Asian talent

The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), has come under fire for its decision to exclude Pakistan from the list of eligible countries in its South Asian competition. This move has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the festival's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and unity through the arts.

Since its inception in 1997, the festival claims to be a prominent platform for showcasing the best of contemporary world cinema and talent. With an expanded vision to spotlight South Asian and South Asian diaspora filmmakers, the festival aims to connect emerging talent to the worldwide festival ecosystem.

However, the eligibility criteria for the 2023 instalment of the festival explicitly excluded Pakistan from the competition. According to the guidelines, the South Asian competition is open to films from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Films with a South Asian connection or directors of South Asian descent based anywhere in the world were also eligible to participate.

The decision to exclude Pakistan has drawn criticism, especially in the context of the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan. Critics argue that this exclusion reflects the influence of the current Indian government on the festival, suggesting a deliberate attempt to ban Pakistani art. It comes after the banning of Pakistani artists from working in India, further intensifying the debate surrounding cultural exchange between the two nations.

The irony is highlighted by the festival's claims of championing an "expanded vision" and facilitating the “exchange of ideas and easy access to information related to filmmaking, funding, distribution, and marketing support for films and filmmakers.” The decision to exclude Pakistan from the competition appears to contradict this vision, undermining the spirit of promoting cultural exchange and unity through the arts.

The controversy gained traction on social media when an Instagram user posted an edited version of the festival's call to action, emphasizing the exclusion of Pakistan from the list of eligible countries. The user expressed disappointment in renowned figures like Anupama Chopra (Festival Director) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Chairperson), for not advocating for inclusion in the festival. The user accused the festival of displaying bias and going against the values it claims to uphold.

The post states, "It's disappointing to see that even figures like Anupama and Priyanka, who have previously shown support for Pakistani artists, couldn't make room for films from across the border in their own festival. This exclusion is a blatant display of bias and goes against the spirit of promoting cultural exchange and unity through the arts."

Notably, Priyanka had previously praised Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, a Pakistani director, for her being signed on to helm the upcoming Star Wars film, specifically labelling her a South Asian artist, as opposed to a Pakistani one, which added to the perceived irony of her silence on the festival's exclusion. Anupama Chopra, a respected film critic, is listed as a collaborator on one of the festival's Instagram posts, further raising questions about her stance on the matter.

Adding to the controversy, the festival's official Instagram account recently featured Polite Society on their social media feed, excluding Nimra Bucha from the image. However, the writer and director of the same is Nida Manzoor - someone who is mentioned by name in the post - and, ironically, someone who is a British-Pakistani Muslim.

It would thus seem that celebrating Pakistani talent comes at a convenient time for the festival. As the debate continues to unfold, industry figures such as Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, among others, have been tagged by the festival's Instagram account, indicating their involvement or potential support of the festival.

The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival now faces significant scrutiny and pressure to address the concerns raised by critics and the public regarding the exclusion of Pakistan. The festival's organizers will need to respond thoughtfully to ensure their commitment to fostering cultural exchange and promoting inclusivity within the realm of cinema.

Have something to add? Share it in the comments below