~ MFSCDC positions itself as a future-ready hub for regional cinema, OTT services and global collaborations
~ Corporation highlights how Film City reforms are strengthening regional storytelling and production capacity.
The Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDC) showcased the highlights of its film city infrastructure in Mumbai at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI), emphasising how its signature cinema ecosystem provided a fillip to regional cinema, film infrastructure and talent development. The Corporation’s participation highlights how Maharashtra, anchored by a
multilingual film culture, continues to function not only as one of India’s most influential creative hubs in the country, but also as a nursery for regional cinema.
With Marathi cinema’s steady rise over the past decade and increased interest from independent filmmakers seeking reliable production support, MFSCDC’s presence at IFFI focuses on consolidating Maharashtra’s position as a state where mainstream and regional industries operate side-by-side. The Film City kiosk at the Festival outlines the Corporation’s ongoing upgrades, incentive schemes and talent programmes aimed at strengthening this dual track.
At the centre of the MFSCDC pitch at the 56th edition of the Festival is its Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai, one of the country’s busiest production and post production zones. The Corporation’s officials briefed visiting filmmakers, producers and investors about the new studios, improved outdoor sets and the expanded post-production facilities that now include digital sound stages and high-tech editing suites. The Corporation has also made a case for presenting its long-term plan to build integrated film, media and cultural complexes that can support both traditional production and emerging formats, including AI.
MFSCDC has tapped into the IFFI, which is frequented by hundreds of film industry stakeholders and thousands of film delegates, to broadcast its grants, schemes and skill- building programmes tailored for smaller production houses and first-time directors too. According to the MFSCDC, these initiatives have helped widen the state’s creative base, particularly in districts where film activity was traditionally limited.
Speaking on the sidelines of IFFI, Swati Mhase Patil, Managing Director, MFSCDC, said, “IFFI brings together filmmakers from across the world, and it is an important space for Maharashtra to present a film ecosystem that supports regional voices while offering world- class infrastructure. Our focus is simple: enable filmmakers with the tools, policies and opportunities they need to work at a global standard without losing the stories rooted in our state.”
Training and talent development remain key priorities for MFSCDC, according to Patil, and is working with film schools, technicians’ unions and international partners to equip young professionals in animation, VFX, digital storytelling, gaming and emerging media. At IFFI, the Corporation is also positioning Maharashtra as a strong co-production and OTT services destination, highlighting its cultural depth across theatre, folk arts and district festivals. Policy support forms a major part of MFSCDC’s outreach, with updated production guidelines, simplified digital clearances, incentive schemes and sustainability norms aimed at attracting regional, national and international projects while ensuring responsible, future-ready filmmaking.
At IFFI, the Corporation also pitched Maharashtra as a viable destination for global collaborations and engaged with visitors to its pavilion to conduct discussions on co- productions, service partnerships for OTT platforms and location-based projects.
