Harkat is back with the sixth edition of the 16mm film festival, a festival exclusively screenings works done on celluloid film. We welcome all kinds of films from a diverse range of contexts, as long as they are made on celluloid film. That the visuals speak to the medium is what we look for.

The 16mm Film Festival, conceived with a view of re-connecting with the cinematic medium through it's celluloid history has been drawing an amazing response these past few years, with year long workshops and screenings The festival has been working it's way through re-building and supporting infrastructure for filmmakers and artists who want to work on film since the past 5 years.

Last year, with support from the Gujral Foundation, Harkat is now an artists DIY film lab based in Mumbai and has been running a regular residency and workshop. We will be presenting a lot of these works at this years festival.

Apart from the usual fare of bringing films made on film to the film capital of India, facilitating the production of 5 one minute films by young film makers and conducting beginner and advanced workshops, the festival will be announcing a year long slate of engagements and facilitation in the realm of film.

Another big announcement is that we have loosened our guidelines to also accept films shot on film but with their final prints on digital mediums. Though we will, and always, give preference to films shown on film.

The Harkat 16mm Film Festival is organised by Harkat, an alternative arts space and a film production company based in Mumbai and Berlin.

- We only accept films shot on 'celluloid film' - These can be 8mm, 16mm or 35mm.
- We accept all films made post Jan 2015. However, if you have a film which has not been to more than 2 festivals and you think it fits well within the kind of work we ask for, please submit it. This is not a hard rule.
- Prints on film are preferred.
- The festival schedule will be released on December 1st.
- Once a film entry is submitted, it must be sent in.
- The festival will quality check each print and send a QC report and will then take responsibility of it being sent back in the same condition. The festival is not responsible for any damage in transit and the filmmaker must take responsibility for insurance of their prints.
- All films must be accompanied with a synopsis of the film and publicity material.
- The festival will not be able to pay for the travel and allowance for any of the entries accepted.
- The festival is under no obligation to accept the submitted film

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Holden Treadway

    Great programming and communication, very grateful to be a part of Harkat 16mm.

    December 2022
  • Great festival, a true love of celluloid with a special care in their selections. great communication all around, may it be with artists, with their promotional material and with the audience.
    Thank you very much again for selecting This Little Light Of Mine, giving it an opportunity to be screened in India.

    December 2022
  • Karel Doing

    Great festival organised by a very dedicated team!

    January 2022
  • Bartlomiej Pieklo

    Perfect experience and great congrats to whole festival Team !:)

    December 2021
  • Gwendolyn Audrey Foster

    I am honored to have two films (NO PERSONAL CHECKS and DREAMING IN ASPECT RATIO) selected and screened at Harkat! Thanks for supporting experimental and avant-garde film! A well curated and significant festival for analog based films! Bravo.

    December 2021