Mira Nair appointed as Head of Jury at Jio Mami Film Festival

Filmmaker Mira Nair will head the jury for the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival’s South Asia Competition.

Indian-American director Mira Nair, who has directed films including “Salaam Bombay!,” “The Namesake,” “Monsoon Wedding,” and a number of others, will chair the South Asia Competition Head of Jury at the upcoming Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Mira is a filmmaker who is nominated for an Academy Award. Her global smash film “Monsoon Wedding” won her widespread praise and became the first woman to win the coveted Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

“AMRI,” an unconventional portrait of Amrita Sher-Gil, is Mira Nair’s upcoming film. The third-highest civilian award in India, the Padma Bhushan, was given to her in 2012.

Mira Nair made the following statement regarding her new position as Head of Jury for the South Asia Competition: “If we don’t tell our own stories, no one else will.” My motto for many years, thus it is a privilege for me to chair the MAMI jury for the South Asia competition this year. I’m delighted to watch fresh, local voices in films and be inspired by them.

She further mentioned, “It is so important that MAMI recognizes the best first or early films because nothing can be more encouraging than one’s peers and gurus of cinema putting the wind in our sails! Winning the Caméra d’Or for my first film, Salaam Bombay!, opened horizons everywhere. Our MAMI jury looks forward to doing the same for young filmmakers today.

The South Asia Competition of the Jio MAMI Film Festival will head the award categories, showcasing 14 films by first- and second-time South Asian and Diasporan directors.

“We are honoured to have one of the most celebrated filmmakers, the Golden Lion Winner, Mira Nair, join us as the Head of Jury,” stated Deepti DCunha, Artistic Director of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Our goal is to become a centre for South Asian and South Asian Diaspora filmmakers and to give up-and-coming filmmakers a chance to network and work together with some of the brightest minds in world cinema. The South Asia competition is a key component of this ambition. One of our best is Mira Nair; there is no one better to interact with.

Mumbai, the financial and entertainment hub of India, will host the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival from October 27 to November 5.