Mumbai International Film Festival

Viewing Room & Work-In-Progress Lab

The Viewing Room presents films from around the world, which are recently completed or still in post-production, at the Waves Film Bazaar. These films are looking for film festivals, world sales, distribution partners and also finishing funds.
Viewing Room connects Sellers (filmmakers) with Buyers (film programmers, distributors, world sales agents and investors) from around the world. Buyers are able to watch the films, access details about the films as well as contact the filmmakers through the specially designed Viewing Room Software. This is a highly restricted zone with the aim of making it a safe space for filmmakers who submit their unreleased films.
To create a more user-friendly experience, buyers can choose to view the films/film clips based on parameters like duration, language, stage of completion, type, and festival history, among others. The details of the films are compiled into the Viewing Room catalogue, which is distributed to all the registered delegates at the Market and will be available on the website prior to the Waves Doc Bazaar 2026.
Waves Doc BazaarRecommends (FBR), are films recommended specially by the Waves Film Bazaar programmer. This is a specially curated section of the Film Bazaar.

Before You Submit

Before you begin, please read the Rules | Regulations for guidelines on filling the online Application Form as well as Submission of Materials. Please also read the Undertaking which has to be submitted along with the application for it to be considered complete. For any further queries, please read the FAQs.

The VR + Work-in-Progress (WIP) category is open to documentary and animation films from all over the world.
Only feature-length films (above 30 minutes) are eligible.
Films must be incomplete, i.e., the edit should not be locked at the time of application.
The film should be in a rough-cut stage or just before final edit, with a substantial portion of principal photography completed.
Films that have entered final stages of post-production (such as DI, final sound mix, etc.) are not eligible for the Work-in-Progress Lab.
Short films (below 30 minutes) and completed films are not eligible under this category.

Applicants applying under VR + WIP must complete the common online application form available on the WAVES Doc Bazaar platform.
A submission will be considered complete only upon:

Submission of all mandatory information and materials
Successful payment of the application fee

Applicants will be required to provide:

Details of the applicant (Director, Producer, Production Company)
Synopsis (maximum 150 words)
Director’s Note (maximum 150 words)
Filmography of Director and Producer (including film title, duration, and year of completion)
A password-protected, downloadable screener link of the rough-cut (Vimeo/Google Drive preferred)
Minimum three film stills (from the film, not production stills)
Director’s photograph

The VR + WIP category enables applicants to:
- Be considered for the Work-in-Progress Lab, and
- Simultaneously ensure inclusion in the Viewing Room
If a film is selected for the Work-in-Progress Lab:
- It will participate in the closed-door mentorship sessions
- It will also be showcased in the Viewing Room for industry visibility
If a film is not selected for the Work-in-Progress Lab:
- It will still be included in the Viewing Room, provided the application is complete and compliant
Selection for the Work-in-Progress Lab is highly competitive, with a maximum of five (5) projects being selected.
Submission to this category:
- Does not guarantee selection in the Work-in-Progress Lab
- Ensures visibility through the Viewing Room
Submission to VR + WIP does not grant delegate access to WAVES Doc Bazaar.

Stage 1 – For Selection (Mandatory)
- Applicants must submit a password-protected screener link of the rough-cut or rough assembly of the film.
- The submitted version should:
  - Be a substantial portion or full version of the film
  - Have a minimum duration of approximately 35 minutes
  - Not be a trailer or promotional cut
Stage 2 – For Viewing Room Showcase
- Applicants will be required to submit:
  - A minimum of 10 minutes of film material (mandatory)
  - Submission of the entire film is strongly recommended
- Final film files will be:
  - Uploaded to a secure, encrypted Viewing Room server
  - Made accessible only to authorized and curated delegates

Application deadlines will be announced on the official WAVES Doc Bazaar platform.
Final film material submission timelines will be communicated separately (expected May 2026).
The Work-in-Progress Lab will take place during WAVES Doc Bazaar (June 2026).

Application Fee: INR 5,000
The fee is one-time and non-refundable, irrespective of selection outcome.

Work-in-Progress Lab:
- Closed-door sessions with selected filmmakers only
- Focused on mentorship and editorial feedback
Viewing Room:
- Restricted access for curated industry delegates, including:
  - Buyers
  - Sales agents
  - Distributors
  - Film festival programmers
  - OTT/platform representatives
Filmmakers will be able to:
- Control access to their film in the Viewing Room
- Receive a detailed viewership report post-event

The VR + WIP category at WAVES Doc Bazaar is designed to provide both:
- Creative development support (via WIP Lab)
- Market exposure (via Viewing Room)
However:
- Selection in the Work-in-Progress Lab is not guaranteed
- Participation does not guarantee funding, distribution, or festival selection
- Viewing Room showcase is not considered a public screening or premiere
- Participation does not imply endorsement by the organizing body
All films are presented on an “as available” basis, and WAVES Doc Bazaar does not assume responsibility for:
- Accuracy or completeness of submitted content
- Legal compliance of films
- Any claims related to intellectual property or third-party rights
All rights and liabilities related to the film remain solely with the filmmaker.