NFDC, LTM Launch CinemAI

Over 180 participants compete in a 48-hour AI filmmaking challenge at MIFF 2026 in Mumbai

National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), along with LTM, the Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises, has launched the CinemAI Hackathon, a 48-hour AI filmmaking challenge that commenced alongside the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) and has attracted over 180 registrations from filmmakers, storytellers, technologists and content creators across India.

Designed to explore the intersection of cinema and 

artificial intelligence, the hackathon—spearheaded by LTM BlueVerse CraftStudio—challenges participants to create original short films using AI-powered tools across various stages of the filmmaking process.

This year’s theme, “Mumbai Through a Thousand Eyes,” encourages creators to interpret the city through diverse perspectives shaped by memory, imagination and lived experiences.

Participants have been tasked with creating films between 90 and 120 seconds in duration, showcasing innovative storytelling approaches while leveraging emerging technologies.

Following the completion of the challenge, a jury screening will be held on June 18, where the top 10 films will be shortlisted. All 10 selected films will subsequently be showcased during a public screening at MIFF on June 20, offering festival audiences a glimpse into the future of AI-driven storytelling.