The Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) organized an Open Forum on "Documentary as a Means of Archiving Men, Moments and Memories" during the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) on June 17, 2026. The session featured filmmakers Suresh Sharma, Sanjit Narwekar, Roopa Barua, and Amrish Roy Choudhury, along with radio presenter Yunus Khan, discussing the role of documentaries in preserving history, culture, and collective human experiences for future generations.
Suresh Sharma emphasized the critical importance of research, fact-checking, and strong narrative structure in documentary filmmaking, noting that documentaries become memorable when they capture the struggles and sensitivities of their subjects. He observed that new discoveries during research often reshape a film's narrative. Sanjit Narwekar described the documentary process as a series of "happy accidents" where the search for one story frequently leads to unexpected discoveries, requiring filmmakers to find fresh perspectives and adapt stories based on new findings.
Roopa Barua shared that films created to tell stories of people and places often evolve into valuable archival records over time, specifically referencing her works "Riders of the Mist" and "Daughters of the Polo God." She stressed the importance of storytelling and maintaining audience engagement through careful pacing. Yunus Khan discussed the role of radio documentaries in preserving cultural heritage, highlighting Vividh Bharati's efforts in documenting artists' journeys and conserving folk music, literature, and cultural traditions from across India.
Amrish Roy Choudhury underscored the significance of archival research in documentary filmmaking and highlighted the value of institutions like the National Film Archive of India. He emphasized the need for factual accuracy and careful verification when documenting historical subjects. The panelists collectively noted that documentary films begin as story searches but evolve into important archives of culture, memory, and social change, ensuring history is preserved beyond written records alone. The session concluded with audience interactions focusing on documentary research, archival practices, and memory preservation through film.
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