The partnership between TCET University and the Jagran Film Festival was highlighted in an Instagram post by the festival four days before the Mumbai event opened, emphasizing how stories inspire perspectives while education empowers future storytellers. Festival organizers described the tie-up as a celebration of learning, innovation and the power of cinema that builds meaningful collaborations. The move aligns with the broader goals of the world’s largest traveling film festival, which Jagran Prakashan Group launched in 2010 to promote cinematic appreciation beyond major cities, its official website shows.
The Daily Jagran reported on October 21 that the Mumbai edition of the Jagran Film Festival runs from October 28 to 31 at Cinepolis in Fun Republic Mall, Andheri West, before the awards ceremony on November 1 at the Grand Sangam Ballroom in JW Marriott, Juhu. Organizers received more than 500 film submissions for the 2026 edition, selecting 130 for screening in Mumbai, the publication detailed. Those entries include 33 Indian feature films, 51 Indian short films, 11 Indian documentaries, 12 international features, 17 international shorts and six international documentaries, a breakdown that accounts for the full slate drawn from more than 25 countries and over 35 languages.
Twenty-four films will receive their premieres during the Mumbai chapter, with 13 world premieres, two Asia premieres and nine India premieres, The Daily Jagran figures show. The festival’s theme, “Don’t just love cinema—live it,” underscores its commitment to immersive experiences that extend to discussions of art, culture and human rights through diverse storytelling. TCET University’s involvement as educational partner seeks to connect students with these conversations and the craft of filmmaking, the festival’s social media post stated.
Masterclasses and conversations form a key part of the program, beginning with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on October 28 exploring approaches to love and relationships in cinema. Subsequent sessions feature casting director Mukesh Chhabra on October 29, actor Saurabh Sachdeva on October 30 and casting director Anmol Ahuja on October 31, according to a MediaBrief summary of the schedule. Additional workshops on transitioning from theatre to cinema round out the educational offerings that align with the new partnership’s focus on nurturing creative minds.
The Jagran Film Festival travels across 14 cities in 2026, starting in Delhi in August and concluding its journey in Mumbai, a report from Bollywood Hungama noted. It has previously hosted interactions with prominent figures including Subhash Ghai, Irrfan Khan and Hrithik Roshan, whose testimonials praise the event for enlightening audiences beyond commercial cinema. This year’s Mumbai edition builds on that legacy while integrating academic partners like TCET University to deepen engagement with art and cultural narratives.
Festival registration remains open via the official JFF website, with organizers inviting cinema enthusiasts, students and aspiring filmmakers to participate in screenings, sessions and the culminating awards night. The collaboration with TCET University is expected to provide students direct exposure to industry professionals and global cinema that addresses varied human experiences. Such partnerships reflect the festival’s ongoing expansion of its educational reach across its multi-city tour.
