Waterfront Indie Film Festival Concludes with a Grand Closing Ceremony

Mumbai: The first edition of the Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) concluded recently with great success, celebrating independent cinema through an inspiring mix of masterclasses, celebrity panels, workshops, and film screenings. The festival brought together cinephiles, industry experts, and independent filmmakers to exchange ideas and celebrate creativity.
One of the highlights of the festival was the Actors’ Panel Discussion, presented by Applause Entertainment, featuring talented actors Pratik Gandhi, Priya Bapat, Amit Sial, Surveen Chawla, and Shweta Basu Prasad. The session saw an engaging discussion on challenges faced by actors in the evolving Indian film landscape.

Pratik Gandhi spoke about the barriers regional accents pose for actors, saying, “Actors with Gujarati or Marathi accents are often overlooked for mainstream roles, while those with Punjabi or Bihari accents get more opportunities.”
Actor Amit Sial emphasized the director’s role, stating, “When a film succeeds, the credit goes to the director; when it fails, the responsibility is still the director’s.”
Actress Priya Bapat proudly mentioned the remarkable success of the Marathi film Sabar Bond and invited the audience to give a round of applause for the team behind it.

The festival also hosted insightful masterclasses and screenings. A special Filmmaking Adda Session was held with veteran filmmaker Rahul Rawail, who shared his experiences and perspectives on cinema. Another highlight was the exclusive screening of P for Paparazzi, followed by an engaging conversation with director Divya Kharnare and celebrity photographer Manoj Mahara, offering the audience a glimpse into the intriguing world of paparazzi.
Awards were presented in multiple categories including Documentary and Experimental Films, Fiction Short Films, Fiction Feature Films, and Best Film on Social Issues, recognizing outstanding achievements in independent cinema.
Co-founder Deepa Gahlot said, “WIFF was truly a celebration of diverse films and stories.”
Co-founder Vinta Nanda added, “The audience response exceeded our expectations. We’re grateful for the love and acceptance independent cinema has received.”
Festival curator Sridhar Rangayan shared, “Our goal was to present films that challenge stereotypes and provoke meaningful conversations. We’re proud to have achieved that through WIFF.”
Supported by Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (TRIS), the festival concluded on a high note, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the next edition of WIFF.