-853X543.jpg)
FESTIVALS: INDEPENDENT VOICES RISE IN VERSOVA
by Editorial Desk October 9 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins, 25 secsWaterfront Indie Film Festival Mumbai 2025 celebrated the spirit of independent storytelling with over 100 films, insightful panels, and masterclasses — uniting artists, audiences, and changemakers across Versova’s creative landscape.
The Waterfront Indie Film Festival Mumbai 2025 emerged as a landmark platform for independent filmmaking, storytelling, and creative collaboration, bringing together acclaimed directors, emerging voices, and industry icons like Hansal Mehta, Sandra de Castro Buffington, Rahul Rawail, and Richa Chadha. Rooted in Versova’s vibrant arts community, WIFF celebrated cinematic diversity through screenings, panels, and masterclasses, spotlighting India’s growing independent film movement and positioning Mumbai as a global hub for indie creators.
Waterfront Indie Film Festival Mumbai 2025 Concludes its Inaugural Edition with a Powerful Celebration of Independent Cinema
Mumbai, October 7, 2025 — The first-ever Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) Mumbai 2025, held from October 2nd to 6th, concluded on a high note after five exhilarating days of screenings, conversations, and community gatherings across Versova’s creative heart — Rangshila Theatre, Versova Social, Silk Road Café, Sathe’s All-Day Diner, and Maverick Studios.
The festival drew cultural icons such as Siddharth Kak, Pia Benegal, Dolly Thakore, and S.M.M. Ausaja, with Ms. Nidhi Choudhari, Director of NGMA Mumbai, graciously welcoming guests and sharing stories about NGMA’s restoration projects, reminding audiences why spaces like these remain the soul of Mumbai’s artistic identity.
The festival opened with Feminist Fathima, directed by Fasil Muhammed — a poignant Malayalam feature about a woman reclaiming her independence — and closed with Humans in the Loop, directed by Aranya Sahay, an immersive exploration of human connection in the age of automation. Both films set the tone for a festival that championed freedom of expression, creative authenticity, and social awareness through cinema. Encouraged by a message from Vani Tripathi Tikoo on the importance of independent cinema on the global stage, and international cinema on the national stage, the festival took flight on October 2nd, 2025.
The Big Winners
At the closing ceremony held at Rangshila Theatre, the following films and artists were honoured:
Best Fiction Feature Film: Victoria – Directed by Sivaranjini
Best Director (Fiction Feature): Sivaranjini – Victoria
Best Film by a Debut Director: Fasil Muhammed – Feminist Fathima
Best Documentary or Experimental Feature: Marching In The Dark – Directed by Kinshuk Surjan
Best Documentary or Experimental Short Film: A Move – Directed by Elahe Esmaili
Best Director (Documentary): Kinshuk Surjan – Marching In The Dark
WIFF Award for Best Series/Film on Social Issues: Red Hot Nation – Applause Entertainment
Best Fiction Short Film: Karateka – Directed by Florence Fauquet
Best Director (Fiction Short): Ana Berdeja – Sole
Best Screenplay (Fiction Feature): Aranya Sahay – Humans in the Loop; Himjyoti Talukdar, Ankur Deka, Adhiraj Kashyap – Taarikh
Best Cinematography: Anand Ravi – Victoria; Monika Tiwari & Harshit Saini – Humans in the Loop
Best Performance – Female: Sonal Madhushankar as “Nehma Oraon” in Humans In The Loop
Best Performance – Male: Arun Nath as “Durlov Dutta” in Taarikh
Jury Mentions: Nukkad Naatak (Tanmaya Shekhar), Body (Abhijit Mazumdar), Neither Donkey Nor Horse (Robin Wang), Tracker (Udit Khurana)
A Celebration of Independent Voices
Across five days, WIFF Mumbai 2025 brought together over 100 films — including features, shorts, documentaries, and experimental works — from India and around the world. It featured curated sections such as India Gold, Films from the North-East, Community Films Package, Queer Films Selection, Teen Indie Film Awards Showcase, and Micro Cinema, offering a kaleidoscopic view of diverse storytelling.
Beyond the screen, WIFF’s “Round of Applause” panels, co-curated with Applause Entertainment, became major highlights. Conversations like The Directors’ Cut, Writers Shaping the New India, and The Outbreak of Breakout Stars featured influential voices in Indian cinema including Hansal Mehta, Tushar Hiranandani, Rohan Sippy, Vishal Furia, Pratik Gandhi, Amit Sial, Anahata Menon, Poorva Naresh, Adhir Bhat, Rahul Ved Prakash, Surveen Chawla, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Priya Bapat.
Complementing these were masterclasses and workshops by Shanti Bhushan Roy (Cinematography), Bishwadeep Dipak Chatterjee (Sound Design), Anupama Mandloi (Impactful Storytelling), and Sandra de Castro Buffington (Conscious Storytelling) — each session exploring new paradigms of filmmaking and purpose-driven narratives.
The masterclass with Sandra de Castro Buffington, filmmaker and founder of StoryAction, LLC, and a global pioneer in entertainment for social impact, was among the festival’s most anticipated events. Speaking virtually from Los Angeles, Sandra was joined by Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Roy, Barnali Ray Shukla, and Brahmanand S. Siingh in an engaging conversation moderated by Dr. Roy. The session explored how filmmakers can use empathy and awareness as creative tools to tell transformative stories that impact society.
Another standout event was the masterclass by Anupama Mandloi, acclaimed producer and creative leader, on Storytelling That Etches Lasting Change. Joined by Aranya Sahay, Poorvi Bhat, Miriam Chandy Menacherry, and Kashmira Patil, the session emphasized how cinema can move beyond entertainment to inspire social change, urging filmmakers to craft stories that leave enduring emotional and cultural impact.
Deep Gratitude and a Shared Dream
Executive Director Vinta Nanda expressed deep gratitude to all those who made the festival possible, saying: “We began with a conversation, never imagining it would bring us here. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who stood by us — Tuli Research Centre for India Studies and Neville Tuli for believing in us, Applause Entertainment and Sameer Nair for their implicit support, RV University and Dr. Piyush Roy for their faith, and Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta of KASHISH Pride Film Festival, without whom this seamless first edition wouldn’t have been possible. Our partners — Ranveer Sobhani and the team at SOCIAL Mumbai, especially Versova SOCIAL, and the many others who stood by us from the beginning — gave this festival its beating heart. A special mention to Monika Mishra, Anuj Sharma, Prerna Singh, and Janhavi Samant, whose tireless energy and commitment helped WIFF reach the world.”
Festival Director Deepa Gahlot added: “It was with great joy that WIFF presented a fine selection of films to the audience and sparked conversations. The WIFF team thanks all supporters and congratulates the winners. More power to the indie tribe.”
Co-founder Avneesh Mishra said: “To see the dream that started in the rehearsal rooms of Rangshila come alive across Versova has been overwhelming. WIFF is for every storyteller who dares to dream differently.”
Co-founder Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri said: The first edition of the Waterfront Indie Film Festival has been a significant step towards nurturing a space where independent cinema can breathe freely — where stories find their voices and conversations around them find their community. It feels like the beginning of something truly special. It’s been most heartening to see the enthusiastic response the inaugural edition had generated. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of it for their role in making it a success of this magnitude”
Programming Director Saagar Gupta reflected: “It’s been deeply rewarding to see filmmakers, audiences, and partners unite in celebrating independent cinema, reaffirming the need for spaces where diverse voices and bold ideas can thrive. My heartfelt thanks to all the filmmakers for their trust and to everyone who made WIFF such a vibrant and inspiring experience.”
Synergies and Storytelling
Another highlight of the festival was the Sunday Adda on Brands and Independent Cinema — Unlocking Potential by Unleashing Synergies, moderated by Gokul Krishnamoorthy, Independent Content Consultant and Marketing Columnist.
The panel brought together Indira Baikerikar, Mitrajit Bhattacharya, Sonal Dabral, and Karthi Marshan to explore the evolving relationship between brands and independent cinema, discussing how strategic collaborations can empower new voices, drive cultural narratives, and open untapped avenues for creative and commercial partnerships.
An engaging conversation unfolded at Versova Social, where film historian S.M.M. Ausaja sat down with filmmaker Rahul Rawail for an intimate session titled Zindagi Paradiso. The discussion traversed Rawail’s cinematic journey, from his early years under Raj Kapoor to his directorial milestones Love Story and Betaab. Rich with anecdotes and insights, it reflected on the evolution of Indian cinema, mentorship, and the enduring bond between memory and the moving image.
Equally vibrant were the Addas curated by filmmaker Kabeer Khurana, which became hubs of discovery and dialogue among young storytellers. His session — Emerging Voices in Indian Cinema, featuring Ida Ali, Vidar Joshi, Saad Nawab, Gia Singh Arora, and Simar Singh — celebrated a new generation of filmmakers reshaping contemporary narratives with authenticity and audacity.
The screening of the short film Avval by Avneesh Mishra was attended by its lead actors Kumud Mishra and Girija Oak Godbole. During the discussion that followed, Avneesh revealed how the shoot planned for five days in Uttarakhand stretched to a year and a half due to COVID. His perseverance and the actors’ unwavering support resulted in a beautiful film.
A Festival Rooted in Community and Cinema
Curated by Vinta Nanda, Deepa Gahlot and supported by teammates Avneesh Mishra, and Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, WIFF Mumbai 2025 was envisioned as a hyperlocal yet global celebration of independent storytelling. Based in Aram Nagar, Versova — the heart of Mumbai’s creative ecosystem — WIFF activated real spaces where cinema is born: theatres, cafés, studios, and co-working hubs.
On the 25th September, AVID Learning’s Asad Lalljee with Sagar Bhagat hosted the curtain raiser with a panel on The Art of Independent Cinema: Curating for Change at NGMA Mumbai, moderated by Richa Chadha and featuring Shoojit Sircar, Rajat Kapoor, Sridhar Rangayan, and Deepa Gahlot — setting the tone for a festival that seamlessly blended art, conversation, and community.
Looking Ahead
With scores of attendees across venues, dozens of filmmakers, and international participation, WIFF Mumbai 2025 has established itself as a festival rooted in independence and inclusivity.
As Vinta Nanda and Deepa Gahlot concluded: “Independent cinema is not a genre — it’s a spirit. And that spirit has found its home here, in the lanes of Versova and in every heart that believes stories can change the world.”