The novel coronavirus pandemic has led to the closure of cinemas across the country, with no clarity on when they will reopen.
The annual Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival has been postponed to 2021, according to a press statement from the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image that organises the event. The decision was taken “in the light of the coronavirus crisis, the devastating pain and suffering across the country and uncertainty over the reopening of cinemas in Mumbai”, the press release stated. The festival, which is popularly known as MAMI, is usually held in October every year. A hugely popular event in the Mumbai cultural calendar, MAMI showcases a wide selection of international arthouse films and documentaries. Its sections on Indian cinema, particularly the competitive India Gold category, have emerged as a reliable barometer of what Indian filmmakers are thinking about and creating.
