Dr. Sandeep Marwah Speaks at Length on Documentary Cinema at 14th International Documentary Film Festival Noida 2026. India: Addressing a large gathering of filmmakers, media professionals, academicians, documentary enthusiasts, and international delegates at the 14th International Documentary Film Festival Noida 2026, held at Marwah Studios, Noida Film City, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the Festival, delivered an insightful address on the evolution, significance, and growing global importance of documentary filmmaking.
Tracing the journey of documentary education at AAFT, Dr. Marwah explained that documentary filmmaking has been an integral part of the institution since its inception in 1993. With the establishment of the degree college in 2003 and the creation of the AAFT School of Mass Communication and Journalism, greater emphasis was placed on documentary production, research, and practical training. Documentary filmmaking subsequently became an important component of the academic curriculum.
“Since 1993, we have believed that documentary filmmaking is an essential part of media education. At AAFT, we have always encouraged students to observe society, research real-life stories, understand human experiences, and communicate meaningful messages through the medium of cinema,” said Dr. Marwah.
Sharing the history of documentary broadcasting in India, he recalled the significant contribution of Doordarshan, which created special late-night programming slots for documentaries and provided an important platform for documentary filmmakers. These dedicated slots helped audiences appreciate factual storytelling and understand the power of non-fiction cinema.
He further observed that the popularity of documentary films received a major boost with the emergence of dedicated television channels such as Discovery Channel, which brought documentaries into mainstream viewing and introduced audiences to wildlife, science, history, geography, technology, and diverse cultures from across the world.
Dr. Marwah also explained the motivation behind establishing the International Documentary Film Festival Noida in 2012. The festival was conceived to provide a dedicated international platform to documentary filmmakers, encourage young talent, recognise professional excellence, and create greater awareness about the documentary genre.
“Documentaries are not merely films; they are powerful instruments of knowledge, awareness, education, research, and social change. They preserve history, document realities, inspire generations, and bring important stories to the world. We must encourage more filmmakers to explore this genre and provide them with platforms for international recognition and wider distribution,” he added.
He emphasised that with the growth of digital platforms, OTT services, international broadcasting, and new technologies, documentary filmmaking has entered an exciting new era, offering unprecedented opportunities to creative professionals.
The 14th International Documentary Film Festival Noida 2026, with participation from India and abroad, continued the tradition of Marwah Studios of promoting meaningful cinema, nurturing emerging filmmakers, and strengthening international cooperation through art and culture.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah reiterated that AAFT and Marwah Studios will continue to support documentary filmmakers and encourage the creation of films that educate, enlighten, inspire, and connect humanity.