Hindi
Leela Samson to chair central board of film certification
NEW DELHI: Even as noted Bharatnatyam dancer Leela Samson has been appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, noted Delhi-based lawyer has been made Chairperson of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal.
Samson, who is also a choreographer, instructor and writer, is also the Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi, India‘s National Academy for Music Dance and Drama.
The appointment of Samson is in an honorary capacity from 1 April 2011 for a period of three years, and she succeeds senior thespian Sharmila Tagore.
As a soloist, Samson has been known for her technical virtuosity, and taught Bharatnatyam at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi for many years. She is the Director of Kalakshetra, the institute for the classical arts founded by the Late Rukmini Devi Arundale. She has been awarded the Padma Shree for her contribution in the field of arts.
Bhasin‘s appointment is also for a period of three years. Bhasin is also the Vice-President of the Bar Association of India. He is Chairman of the Services Export Promotion Council, established by the Commerce Ministry and a Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration apart from being a Member of the Task Force on Arbitration set up by ICC.
He has several awards to his credit which include the Gandhi National Unity Award, 1991, the Plaque of Honour given by the Prime Minister for his outstanding contribution to the Rule of Law in 2002 and the National Law Day Award given by the President of India in 2007.
Deepa Dixit and Gurjeet Singh Behl have also been appointed as Members of the FCAT for a period of three years.
Hindi
MIFF 2026 to return to Mumbai; film entries open till April 12
19th edition to host WAVES Doc Bazaar, spotlighting global documentary talent
MUMBAI: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 is set to take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC Complex, with film submissions currently open and the deadline fast approaching on April 12.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the biennial festival remains one of South Asia’s most prominent platforms for documentary, short fiction and animation films.
Filmmakers, producers and content creators from across the globe have been invited to submit entries via the Film Freeway platform for the Competition Section. Offline submissions will not be accepted, reinforcing a fully digital entry process.
MIFF 2026 continues to sweeten the deal with a robust awards pool of Rs 55 lakh. The coveted Golden Conch for Best Documentary carries a top prize of Rs 10 lakh, alongside multiple awards across categories, making it one of the most lucrative non-feature film festivals in the region.
A key highlight this year will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, scheduled from June 16 to 18 alongside the festival. Designed as a hub for collaboration, the Doc Bazaar will feature a co-production market, viewing rooms and a work-in-progress lab, bringing together global buyers, sellers and creators under one roof.
Since its inception in 1990, MIFF has built a reputation as a serious showcase for non-feature cinema, drawing participation from filmmakers worldwide. The previous edition saw over 350 films from more than 30 countries, underlining its growing international footprint.
With submissions closing soon and preparations underway, MIFF 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant meeting point for storytelling, collaboration and cinematic craft, offering filmmakers both a stage and a springboard.
