The MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, a significant event in the Indian film industry, will not take place in 2025. Instead, organizers are planning a revamped version of the festival to be held in 2026. This decision comes as the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) is undergoing a process of reinvention with a "dynamic vision".

Festival director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur assured that the revamped festival will offer stronger support for independent cinema and improve engagement with Mumbai's movie-loving community. In a statement shared on social media, Dungarpur stated that the festival will return as a premier showcase for independent, regional, and classic cinema from India and around the world. He also mentioned that the dates for the 2026 edition would be announced as soon as possible.

Dungarpur, who took over as festival director last year, explained that MAMI had limited funds and several issues needed resolution. The festival aims to support independent cinema and push for its inclusion in world competition. The 2026 edition will also feature a new logo. The goal is to create a "people's event".

The MAMI Mumbai Film Festival has been held in Mumbai since 1997. It has grown into a hub for contemporary world cinema, with a focus on South Asian films. The festival also aims to build an ecosystem for new cinematic voices and facilitate the exchange of ideas, collaborations, and business opportunities.

The festival has faced challenges, including the loss of its title sponsor, Jio, after the 2023 edition. Anupama Chopra stepped down as Festival Director in June 2024, with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur taking over as interim director. MAMI has described 2024 as a period of transition.

The cancellation of the 2025 festival has drawn reactions from film industry figures. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta expressed disappointment, noting the irony of Mumbai, a cinematic capital, being unable to sustain its own film festival. He added that the festival had been "abandoned by the self-appointed gatekeepers of cinema".

Despite these challenges, MAMI remains committed to its mission of showcasing the best of cinema and fostering cinematic voices in South Asia. The revamped festival in 2026 aims to build on this legacy with a renewed focus on independent cinema and community engagement.