Svayam and Mumbai International Film Festival 2024 Announce Partnership to Provide an Inclusive Cinema Experience

Mumbai, 10^th June 2024 – Svayam, a leading organization dedicated to promoting accessibility, is proud to announce its role as the Accessibility Partner for the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024. This collaboration marks the first time in MIFF’s history that the festival will be fully accessible to attendees with special needs and reduced mobility.

Scheduled from June 15th to 21st, MIFF 2024 celebrates diverse voices and stories through the power of cinema. With Svayam’s expertise on board, the festival experience goes beyond the screen, ensuring inclusivity for all. Svayam will conduct a comprehensive access audit of the venue, followed by exclusive training sessions for staff, volunteers, and participants. These sessions will focus on accessibility etiquette, terminology, and best practices for creating a welcoming environment.

Speaking on the partnership, Prithul Kumar, Festival Director and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said, “We are happy to have Svayam on board as our accessibility partner for the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival.  This is the very first time in the history of MIFF that the festival venue will be made fully accessible for people with special needs. This partnership will ensure a more inclusive festival experience, allowing a larger number of participants who can enjoy the screenings, be part of the masterclasses, panel discussions and other events. Svayam’s expertise in accessibility will open the doors for a wider audience to engage with the magic of cinema and we at NFDC are committed towards it.”

Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson, Svayam expressed, “Accessibility is a fundamental right, and we at Svayam are dedicated to ensuring spaces are welcoming to all. We are honoured to be associated with MIFF 2024 and look forward to contributing to the international film festival experience that is not only culturally enriching and entertaining but also inclusive and accessible to everyone”.

MIFF 2024, in collaboration with Svayam, aims to redefine inclusivity in film festivals, ensuring a truly enriching and enjoyable experience for everyone.

About Svayam:

Svayam is a leading accessibility organisation that aims to reform infrastructure and transportation to make it accessible for people with reduced mobility. Accessibility aids individuals and gives them the freedom to independently explore the built environment around them, irrespective of their physical capabilities. This was on philanthropist-business visionary Sminu Jindal’s mind when she founded Svayam in October 2000. An initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust, Svayam is a not-for-profit accessibility pioneer that focuses on creating a barrier-free world for all.