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The festival took place on January 13 and 14, and was a unique effort in democratising the field of cinematography for women.
The debut edition of Flare Cinematography Film Festival culminated on January 13 and 14, 2026 in Mumbai with leading artists and filmmakers like Sriram Raghavan and Anil Mehta in attendance. This unique initiative, dedicated to celebrating the exceptional work of women cinematographers, has quickly established itself as a landmark meeting place for the community.
Over two action-packed days, the festival sought to democratise the field of cinematography by providing a platform for both seasoned veterans and emerging talent. Supported by industry giants like Sony India, Aputure, Tiyana Incorporation, Bridge PostWorks, with PVR as a venue partner, the event successfully brought the global cinematography community under one roof. The programming was diverse, spotlighting talent from around the world, and featured 26 short films from India, the UK, USA, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. With many of these cinematographers being present for the screenings, the interactive Q&A sessions added a layer of intimacy and professional exchange that is rare in the festival circuit.
The event opened with a poignant tribute to the late DOP Saurabh Suman. Following a screening of the opening short film, Aasmaani Jhoola (2025), veteran DOP Kiran Deohans shared a heartfelt tribute to Suman’s craft.
Beyond the screenings, the festival hosted three intensive panel discussions that served as masterclasses in cinematography and storytelling. Renowned DOPs including Swapnil Sonawane, Neha Parti Matiyani, Mitesh Mirchandani, and Nusrat F. Jafri engaged in deep dives regarding their craft. They were joined by acclaimed directors and producers like Nupur Asthana, Subhadra Mahajan, and Aparna Purohit.
In a statement, Festival Director Pooja Gupte (DOP of Rukh and Panchak) reflected on the success of the inaugural year: “The first edition of Flare Cinematography Film Festival has been a powerful beginning. Our aim was to honour cinematography and create a shared platform where cinematographers across career stages can meet, exchange ideas, and inspire each other—and the response has been truly encouraging. We hope to build on this momentum and grow Flare into a one-of-its-kind meeting ground for cinematographers in our country.”