Four emerging filmmakers have been selected to showcase their works at the Jio MAMI Film Festival 2026 as part of the 'Jio MAMI Select – Filmed on iPhone' programme. The talented directors—Shreela Agarwal, Ritesh Sharma, Robin Joy, and Dhritisree Sarkar—used iPhones, MacBook Pros, and iPad Pros to create their short films, demonstrating the power of mobile filmmaking.
Filmmaking with iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shreela Agarwal shot her film in low-light conditions using ProRes RAW on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. 'You don't need those massive lights that independent filmmakers could never really afford anyway,' she remarked, highlighting the accessibility of professional-grade tools.
Ritesh Sharma utilized the Blackmagic Camera app on the iPhone 17 Pro Max while framing his protagonist, Maruti, selling trinkets on the beach. The app allowed him to achieve cinematic looks without bulky equipment.
Cinematographer Naseem Azad and filmmaker Robin Joy employed Action mode on the iPhone 17 Pro Max to keep the frame stable during dynamic shots, ensuring smooth footage even in challenging conditions.
Mentorship and Post-Production
Mentor Dibakar Banerjee reviewed footage of Dhritisree Sarkar's film Kathar Katha (The Tale of Katha) on a MacBook Pro, guiding the post-production process. The collaboration underscores the integration of Apple's ecosystem in modern filmmaking.
The programme received praise from Apple's Greg Joswiak, who tweeted: 'Really cool to see how rising filmmakers are creating powerful stories on iPhone for @MumbaiFilmFest... and using MacBook Pro and iPad Pro!'
