MUMBAI: A reel shift is underway in Mumbai’s film circuit as artificial intelligence takes centre stage at MIFF. The NFDC, in collaboration with LTM, has launched the CinemAI Hackathon, a 48-hour AI-driven filmmaking challenge running alongside the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026. The initiative has drawn over 180 registrations from filmmakers, storytellers, technologists and content creators across India.
Spearheaded by LTM BlueVerse CraftStudio, the challenge tasks participants with creating 90 to 120-second short films using AI tools across different stages of production. This year’s theme, Mumbai Through a Thousand Eyes, invites creators to reimagine the city through memory, imagination and lived experience.
After the 48-hour sprint, a jury screening will be held on June 18 to shortlist the top 10 entries. These selected films will be showcased at a public screening during MIFF on June 20, offering audiences a glimpse into AI-led storytelling.
The winning team will receive Rs 1.5 lakh, while the runner-up will get Rs 1 lakh. The remaining shortlisted teams will also receive certificates for their work.
Speaking about the initiative, NFDC managing director Prakash Magdum said, “Cinema has always evolved alongside technology, and AI represents the next frontier in storytelling. Through CinemAI, MIFF is creating a platform where filmmakers and innovators can experiment, collaborate and discover new creative possibilities. The enthusiastic response from participants demonstrates the growing curiosity around the role of AI in the future of cinema.”
Adding to this, ITM chief creative officer and global head interactive Sujay Sen said, “At LTM, we believe the future of storytelling lies at the confluence of human creativity and technology. The AI Cinema Hackathon at MIFF 2026 is our invitation to India’s filmmakers to lead that shift, not just witness it. We are proud to debut at MIFF, and to deepen a journey we have been on with NFDC towards creating a platform that nurtures innovation and brings the magic of AI to India’s creative economy.”
With strong participation and rising interest across disciplines, the CinemAI Hackathon has quickly emerged as one of the standout attractions of MIFF 2026, reflecting how AI is reshaping the grammar of modern cinema.
