Mumbai: In a landmark initiative aimed at expanding the global footprint of Marathi cinema, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. (Film City) and the North American Film Association (NAFA), USA.
Under this historic agreement, the prestigious NAFA International Film Festival in the United States will henceforth be organized in co-operation with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. Accordingly, all official publicity and promotional materials of the festival will prominently carry the designation “NAFA Film Festival in co-operation with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra”, along with the official logo of the Government of Maharashtra.
A Government Resolution (G.R.) formalizing this partnership has recently been issued. As per the resolution, financial assistance for the festival will be extended by the Government of Maharashtra as well as the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. (Film City). The Government Resolution also authorizes the concerned officials to implement the provisions of the MoU.
The North American Film Association (NAFA) was founded by National Award-winning producer Abhijit Gholap, producer of the acclaimed Marathi films Deool and Bharatiya. NAFA is a community-driven, volunteer-supported, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Marathi and Indian cinema, culture, and artists across North America by providing them with an international platform. Within just three years, the NAFA International Film Festival has established itself as one of the most respected platforms for Marathi cinema outside India.
With this partnership, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, has officially recognized the NAFA International Film Festival as the Government of Maharashtra’s official Marathi film festival outside India. This gives NAFA a distinguished status alongside renowned festivals such as the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) and the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films (MIFF), while becoming the first official Marathi film festival affiliated with the Government of Maharashtra to be held overseas.
Expressing his gratitude, Abhijit Gholap, Founder-President of NAFA, said:
“The positive response from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, is a proud and historic milestone for Marathi cinema. NAFA’s vision extends far beyond organizing a film festival. Our mission is to create global opportunities for Marathi films through international distribution, co-productions, OTT platforms, investment, and cultural collaborations. This partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and Film City will open new avenues for Marathi cinema on the global stage. I sincerely thank Hon’ble Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs Adv. Ashish Shelar, Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs Dr. Kiran Kulkarni, and Managing Director of Film City Swati Mhase-Patil for their invaluable support in making this historic initiative possible.”
Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs Adv. Ashish Shelar stated:
“Providing Marathi cinema with a global platform and creating international opportunities for our artists, filmmakers, technicians, and producers is a key priority of the Government of Maharashtra. This collaboration with NAFA marks a significant step towards the international expansion of Marathi cinema and will help showcase Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage and creative excellence to audiences worldwide.”
Key Benefits of the Partnership
- Wider promotion and international visibility for Marathi films across North America and global markets.
- Access to international distribution networks, OTT platforms, and emerging overseas markets.
- Direct interaction with global film festivals, distributors, producers, investors, and industry professionals.
- Training, networking, exhibition, and career opportunities for emerging filmmakers, artists, and technicians.
- Exposure to global best practices in filmmaking, Artificial Intelligence (AI), film distribution, and marketing.
- Promotion of international co-productions and collaborative film projects.
- Enhanced global promotion of Marathi language, culture, heritage, and creative arts.
The NAFA International Film Festival 2026 will showcase films from approximately 20 to 30 countries and will host a series of international conferences, workshops, masterclasses, and professional sessions focusing on filmmaking, distribution, co-production, OTT platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cutting-edge cinematic technologies.
This historic partnership is expected to establish a strong and long-term bridge between Marathi cinema and the global film industry, creating unprecedented international opportunities for filmmakers, artists, technicians, producers, and distributors.
A distinguished delegation comprising the Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, the Chairman of Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd., senior officials of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Managing Director of Film City, and eminent personalities from the film industry is expected to attend the festival.