Documentary filmmaking is an act of hope,” says Smriti Kiran. The former Artistic Director of Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) is straight off another curation process. As consulting creative director of Parda Faash 3.0, Kiran says the festival’s theme of hope was defined by the context of the world around.

“When we were discussing themes, we thought of women, environment, among other ideas. But we leaned into what we were collectively feeling — a sense of deep anxiety. That’s what led us to decide a theme where we talk about hope, and reframe hope. It does not mean a blind optimism or a toxic optimism people often reduce it to,” she explains.