iPhone 17 Pro Max Powers New Wave of Global Filmmakers

The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has unveiled its latest MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone program, spotlighting four emerging filmmakers who are redefining cinema with the help of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

MAMI Select is a flagship program by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) that empowers emerging filmmakers to create short films using iPhones, showcasing how accessible technology can democratize cinema and redefine storytelling.

This year’s slate of short films explores diverse themes — from a clandestine romance in Mumbai, to divinity and chaos in Kerala, to a migrant girl’s dream in Goa, and the haunting silence of a Bengali woman losing her voice. Each filmmaker harnessed the iPhone’s advanced camera system, ProRes RAW, Cinematic Mode, Action Mode, and 8x optical zoom to craft visually striking stories that resonate far beyond India. 

The Four Voices

Cinematographer Ramananda Sarkar (left) and filmmaker Ritesh Sharma (left background) frame a shot on iPhone 17 Pro Max while filming She Sells Seashells on location in Goa. [Image - apple.com]

• Shreela Agarwal (11.11): A love letter to Mumbai at night, filmed with ProRes RAW to capture vivid details in low light.
• Ritesh Sharma (She Sells Seashells): A migrant girl’s dream in Goa, blending reality and imagination through Cinematic Mode and precise sound design.
• Robin Joy (Pathanam): A surreal tale of an angel’s fall, brought to life with Action Mode and AI-powered editing.
• Dhritisree Sarkar (Kathar Katha): A haunting story of a news anchor losing her voice, shot with 8x optical zoom to capture inner trauma.

Mentorship and Impact

Guided by acclaimed directors Sriram Raghavan, Chaitanya Tamhane, Dibakar Banerjee, and Geetu Mohandas, the program demonstrates how accessible technology is democratizing filmmaking.

MAMI director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur notes: “The fact that these films have been captured with iPhone has inspired hundreds of people to go out there and start making short films. It’s creating a new generation of filmmakers.”

Democratizing Cinema

Ritesh Sharma uses the Blackmagic Camera app on iPhone 17 Pro Max while framing Maruti, his film’s protagonist, selling trinkets on the beach. [Image - apple.com]

For these storytellers, the iPhone is more than a tool — it’s a gateway. By removing barriers of cost and equipment, it allows new voices to tell stories that might otherwise remain untold.

As filmmaker Agarwal puts it: “The freedom, simply put, is unmatched.”

All four shorts are now streaming on MAMI’s YouTube channel, offering audiences worldwide a glimpse into the future of cinema — one where creativity, not equipment, defines the art.

Key Takeaway

The iPhone 17 Pro Max isn’t just a smartphone — it’s becoming a serious filmmaking instrument, empowering diverse voices and reshaping global storytelling.