The first edition of the Flare Cinematography Film Festival marked a strong and assured beginning. Held over two days, 13th and 14th January 2026 in Mumbai, the festival brought together a focused audience of 250 cinematographers across different stages of their careers. At its core was a clear intention: to create a shared space for the cinematography community while foregrounding films shot by women cinematographers from India and around the world.
Since its inception, FlareCFF has steadily evolved from a compelling idea into a living, growing ecosystem. What began as a concentrated effort to spotlight women behind the camera has expanded into a thoughtfully curated platform. Today, it encompasses screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and in-depth conversations with leading practitioners, fostering both craft and community in equal measure.
The festival was supported by Sony India, Aputure, Tiyana Incorporation, and Bridge PostWorks, all of whom believed in the vision of the platform.
Day one began with the opening film Aasmaani Jhoola, screened as a tribute to the late DOP Saurabh Suman, who also received the Best Cinematography Critics’ Choice Award 2026 for the same. Cinematographer Kiran Deohans ISC paid a heartfelt tribute to his craft and dedication to the medium, having worked with him closely. The film team also spoke fondly about him, making the opening both emotional and meaningful. Following this, the festival showcased twenty-six short films from India, the UK, USA, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, all shot by women cinematographers. Ten of these cinematographers were present at the festival for interactive Q&A sessions. What stood out was the quality of conversations—honest, generous, and deeply rooted in practice. It was not just about showcasing work, but about sharing knowledge and building connections across different levels of the industry.
Day two featured three panel discussions with noted cinematographers including Kiran Deohans ISC, Anil Mehta ISC, Neha Parti Matiyani ISC IWCC, Nusrat F. Jafri, Mitesh Mirchandani ISC, Vikram Amladi, Shelly Sharma, Archana Ghangrekar, Swapnil Sonawane ISC, and Archana Boharde ISC IWCC. Directors Sriram Raghavan, Nupur Asthana, Subhadra Mahajan, and producer Aparna Purohit along with Colourist/Producer Sidharth Meer were also part of these panels, sharing their insights on storytelling, collaboration, and the evolving role of cinematography.
Esteemed industry veterans who attended and supported the festival, including Atanu Mukherjee, Vasan Bala, Deepti D'Cunha, Ravi Kiran Ayyagari, Bauddhayan Mukherji, among others.
PRESS
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