Emerging Indian Filmmakers Redefine Storytelling with iPhone 16 Pro Max: A MAMI Select Showcase
April 15, 2025
mumbai, India – in a vibrant showcase of innovation and cultural storytelling, four emerging filmmakers are pushing the boundaries of cinema, armed with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the mentorship of Indian film industry giants. This year’s MAMI (Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image) Select: Filmed on iPhone program highlights the diverse landscapes and cultures of India through the unique lenses of Amrita Bagchi,Rohin Raveendran Nair,Chanakya Vyas,and Shalini Vijayakumar.
Konkona Sen Sharma, a celebrated writer, director, and actor and two-time winner of India’s National Film Awards, emphasizes the core of filmmaking: “With iPhone, there’s so much power contained in such a compact package that you can bypass the conventions of mainstream filmmaking. All you need is a great idea, and the guts and determination to follow through with it.”
This year’s MAMI Select program sees Sen Sharma, alongside esteemed directors Vikramaditya Motwane (Udaan, Black Warrant), Lijo Jose Pellissery (Ee.Ma.Yau., Jallikattu), and Vetri Maaran (Vaadivaasal), guiding the selected filmmakers in creating short films that explore themes ranging from historical legacy to personal liberation. The program, now in its second year, empowers these alumni to explore the intersection of technology and artistic expression. The previous year’s participants achieved notable recognition, securing the 2025 Critics’ Choice awards India for best Short Film, Best Director (Short Film), and Best Writing (Short Film).
Vetri Maaran highlights the democratic nature of modern filmmaking: “Shooting on iPhone allows for complete personal expression. we’re living in the age of democracy in filmmaking.” This sentiment resonates deeply in an era where accessibility to high-quality filmmaking tools is increasingly democratized.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, MAMI festival director, emphasizes the cultural richness each filmmaker brings: “The unique voices of these filmmakers are beautifully contextualized through the four languages and regions of India in which they are rooted.”
Tech Meets Talent: iPhone 16 pro Max and MacBook pro with M4 Max
the filmmakers are not only utilizing the iPhone 16 Pro Max for its advanced camera capabilities but also the MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip for editing and post-production.The seamless integration of Apple’s ecosystem provides a significant advantage in terms of speed and creative control.
Vikramaditya Motwane highlights the efficiency of the Apple ecosystem: “Shooting and editing within the Apple family of products gives you a stellar advantage: speed.”
The Filmmakers and Their Visions
Each filmmaker brings a unique perspective and story to the MAMI Select program:
amrita Bagchi: Haunting Legacies in *Tinctoria*
Amrita Bagchi, drawing from her diverse background in design, acting, and music, presents Tinctoria, a psychological thriller inspired by the indigo revolt in Bengal. Her film explores the haunting legacy of a fashion mogul whose family wealth is built on the exploitation of indigo farmers.
Bagchi leveraged the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Cinematic mode to create a claustrophobic atmosphere: “We’re tracking bubbles and plastic sheets flying through the air, and the depth of field is so clean. Just like it’s shot on a huge, high-budget cinematic camera.”
She also praised the MacBook Pro’s performance: “It’s like a rocket machine. On a tight schedule I can just shoot at 4K120 fps on my iPhone, and still have tremendous flexibility to change the pacing during the edit on my MacBook Pro.”
Rohin raveendran nair: A Coastal Love Story in *kovarty*
Rohin Raveendran Nair, known for his work on Netflix shows like *Sacred Games* and *Black Warrant*, returns to his roots in Alleppey, Kerala, with *Kovarty*. This short film is a magical realism-infused love story that illustrates change, centered around a typist and his typewriter.
Nair found the iPhone’s form factor essential to his storytelling: “Using iPhone’s small form factor, I could place the camera inside the typewriter and capture its POV. This, along with practical effects with fish wires, helps bring the device to life.”
He also noted the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s ability to capture the region’s vibrant colors: “One day our location is bright and sunny, the next it’s cloudy and gloomy. The camera captures such rich detail with ProRes Log in all sorts of lighting situations.”
Chanakya Vyas: Coming-of-Age in *Mangya*
Chanakya Vyas, an educator and thespian, explores themes of loss and letting go in *Mangya*, a coming-of-age story about a young boy and his rooster.
Vyas utilized Action mode for a dynamic scene: “There’s no time to mount the camera on a conventional gimbal. But with Action mode, I could even shoot multiple takes.The stabilization is just so impressive.”
Regarding audio, Vyas said, “We’re able to layer footsteps, the rooster crowing, and the whirring sound of a fan with distinct clarity with the studio-quality mics on iPhone 16 Pro max. The native audio is that good in its bit rate and cadence.”
shalini vijayakumar: *Seeing Red* and Releasing Repressed Emotions
shalini Vijayakumar delves into the lives of women in a traditional Tamil household with *Seeing Red*,a comedic horror film set in the 1980s. The film explores themes of repressed emotions and collective rage.
Vijayakumar inverts traditional Tamil cinema tropes: “I call these the ‘mass shots’ where the heroes walk dramatically in slow motion. I’m doing that for the women in 4K120 fps, and it looks fabulous.”
She also appreciates the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s telephoto lens: “using the 5x Telephoto lens, I’m able to place the men in front as they discuss the fate of the women in the background. There’s so much storytelling in that one frame through that particular lens.”
The Democratization of Filmmaking: Implications for the U.S. Film Industry
The MAMI Select program underscores a growing trend: the democratization of filmmaking.With the advancements in smartphone technology, aspiring filmmakers in the U.S. and globally have access to powerful tools that were once exclusively available to industry professionals. This has significant implications for the American film industry. Lower barriers to entry could foster greater diversity in storytelling, allowing voices from underrepresented communities to share their narratives.
Independent filmmakers in the United States are already leveraging the power of smartphones. For example, Sean Baker’s *Tangerine*, shot entirely on iPhones, garnered critical acclaim and demonstrated that high-quality films can be produced without exorbitant budgets. This success story serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers across the country.
Though, the democratization of filmmaking also presents challenges. As more content is created, discoverability becomes increasingly difficult.Aspiring filmmakers need to develop strong marketing and distribution strategies to ensure their work reaches a wider audience. Film festivals,online platforms,and social media play a crucial role in showcasing and promoting independent films.
moreover, concerns about the quality of content arise. While smartphones offer impressive capabilities, filmmaking requires more than just technology. Storytelling skills, technical expertise, and a strong creative vision are essential for producing compelling and impactful films. Educational programs and mentorship initiatives can help aspiring filmmakers hone their skills and navigate the complexities of the industry.
Impact and Future of the MAMI Select Program
The MAMI Select program, and initiatives like it, play a crucial role in nurturing emerging talent and promoting cultural exchange. By providing filmmakers with resources, mentorship, and a platform to showcase their work, these programs contribute to the growth and evolution of the film industry. Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to see how these filmmakers continue to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling and inspire others to pursue their creative visions.
Vikramaditya Motwane expressed his confidence in the filmmakers: “These filmmakers can be the pioneers who take the camera to places we’ve never seen before.”
Watch these four short films on the MAMI YouTube channel.
