Where Stories from Across the World Find Their Home in Mumbai

16 May 2026 • Mumbai, India

Upcoming Mumbai Event

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Official Digital Screening Partner

Bay City International Film Festival collaborates with platforms that share our mission of amplifying independent voices. Our association with Open Theatre extends the journey of selected films beyond the festival — offering filmmakers the opportunity for online screenings and global audience reach.

Official External Submission Platform

BCIFF accepts submissions through both our Direct Submission Portal and FilmFreeway — the world’s most trusted platform for film festivals.

Why Participate in Bay City?

Visibility

“Your film, spotlighted before global jury, press & audiences.”

Monetizationn

We have collaborated with Open theatre, so every winning entry gets a special show case on revenue sharing basis.

Networking

Join the largest community and meet the Panels, mixers & chance to connect with OTT buyers

Recognition

Awards that amplify careers & help films travel worldwide.”

Our Exlusivity

Founded At the Crossroads of Vision and Outreach

Led by cinema insiders—from Disney and Zee Studios to renowned ad filmmakers—BCIFF isn’t just a festival; it’s your launchpad. Our jury and partners hail from Cannes, Mumbai’s top studios, global OTT platforms, and legendary ad houses. When you submit to BCIFF, you’re part of a network that moves.”

We showcase handpicked shorts to global audiences, respected critics, and industry pros. Past indie winners have gone on to secure streaming deals, press coverage, and distribution offers. At BCIFF, visibility is not a buzzword—it’s a career tool.

Bay City is not built to impress the crowd — it’s built to serve the filmmaker.

Meet the Jury

Who Can Submit -

Bay City International Film Festival welcomes independent filmmakers, creators, studios, students, and storytellers from across the world.

You are eligible to submit if:

  • You are a director, producer, creator, agency, student, or independent artist

  • Your film was completed on or after January 2023

  • You own the rights to all content used (music, visuals, footage, AI assets)

  • Your film is in any language (English subtitles required if not in English)

  • You believe your work reflects originality, intent, and cinematic craft

There are no restrictions based on nationality, age, gender, budget, or production scale.

Short Films

Short Films

Narrative-driven fiction films that express strong storytelling, character, and cinematic vision within a short format.

Creative Concepts (Brand Films)

Creative Concepts (Brand Films)

Story-led brand or concept films where creativity, emotion, and craft elevate the idea beyond conventional advertising.

Music Videos

Music Videos

Visually compelling interpretations of music where rhythm, mood, and imagery come together as cinematic expression.

AI Films

AI Films

Films that explore artificial intelligence as a tool, collaborator, or theme, pushing the boundaries of how cinema is created.

Documentary Films

Documentary Films

Non-fiction films rooted in real stories, perspectives, and truths, crafted with authenticity and purpose.

Animation Films

Animation Films

Animated works of any style or technique that use imagination, design, and movement to tell meaningful stories.

Be Part of biggest film making community

Upcoming Events, Venue & tickets bookings

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15/05

2026

Bay City Indie film Festival

Online

2026

Industry Masterclass

About Bay City Culture

Baycity Film Festival is emerging as one of the most exciting platforms for bold, independent cinema, bringing powerful stories and distinctive voices to the heart of the city each year. Designed as an inclusive cultural event, the festival connects filmmakers, audiences, and industry partners in a shared space dedicated to discovery, discussion, and celebration of film.

At its core, Baycity Film Festival champions films that are visually compelling and thought‑provoking, with a strong emphasis on storytelling that crosses borders—geographical, cultural, and emotional. The festival welcomes filmmakers who want their work to spark conversation, raise awareness of contemporary issues, and inspire audiences to think differently about the world around them.

Baycity a trend for indie film-makers...

Shubhendu Bhattacharya

Cinema needs spaces where stories are not judged by scale, but by intent. Festivals like Bay City matter because they listen first — to the voice behind the film.

Shubhendu Bhattacharya

Writer / Sardar udam singh

Kabir Kaushik

Every filmmaker needs a moment where their work is seen with seriousness. Festivals that are rooted in craft and culture play a quiet but powerful role in shaping careers.

Kabir Kaushik

Director/ Sehar

Piyush Gupta

Mumbai has always been a city of stories. A festival that nurtures independent voices here is not just hosting screenings — it’s continuing a cinematic legacy

Piyush Gupta

Producer

Film maker stories

News & Announcments

When Indie Film Thinks Like a Startup

When Indie Film Thinks Like a Startup Independent filmmakers are facing a radically different landscape than even a few years ago, with streaming saturation, shrinking art‑house windows, and buyers demanding clearer audience signals before committing to a project....