Archive · 6 Nov 2025
India's First AI Film Festival, MAFF, Concludes in Mumbai
Imagine a movie-making competition where instead of just cameras, people used smart computer programs to help make their short films.
That's what happened at the first ever AI Film Festival in Mumbai, called MAFF!
Famous movie directors and tech experts came to watch.
Young filmmakers from all over India and even other countries made movies using AI.
They had about eight days to create their stories using special computer tools.
It was a big celebration of new technology in making movies.
The goal was to show that even young people with just a computer can create amazing stories.
The festival also gave away prizes and a special trip to Japan for the winners.
It's like a new way for people to tell stories using computers.
India's first and largest AI Film Festival, MAFF, took place at Mumbai's Royal Opera House.
The event merged artificial intelligence with cinematic storytelling, attracting 1270 applicants.
Notable personalities from Bollywood and the tech industry, including Shakun Batra and Ram Madhvani, participated as judges and mentors.
Fifteen sponsored teams created AI-powered short films over eight days, with winners receiving ₹20 lakh and a Japan retreat.
MAFF aimed to empower young creators and establish a new ecosystem for AI-driven filmmaking.
- Who
- Bollywood personalities (Shakun Batra, Ram Madhvani, Riteish Deshmukh, Tanmay Bhat, etc.), tech leaders, and young filmmakers
- What
- India's first and biggest AI Film Festival, MAFF, where teams created AI-powered short films.
- When
- October 25 – November 2
- Where
- Royal Opera House, Mumbai
- Why
- To merge artificial intelligence with cinematic storytelling and empower young creators.
- Event Name
- Mumbai AI Filmmaking Festival (MAFF)
- Location
- Royal Opera House, Mumbai
- Organizers
- LocalHost x InVideo
- Founders
- Hardeep Gambhir & Chandan Perla
- Participants
- 1270 applicants, 15 finalist teams
- Prize Money
- ₹20 lakh
- Dates
- October 25 – November 2