Democratizing Filmmaking: How the iPhone is Empowering a New Generation of Artists

iPhone’s Impact on Filmmaking Apple has brought attention to the capabilities of iPhones in professional filmmaking through comments from award-winning directors. They highlight that shooting with an iPhone provides speed, flexibility, and unparalleled accessibility, democratizing film creation.

Filmed on iPhone Program in India

• Success Stories: Two films created by participants of Apple’s 'Filmed on iPhone' program in Mumbai won multiple 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards India for Best Short Film, Best Director (Short Film), and Best Writing (Short Film).
• Equipment Used: The filmmakers used iPhones 16 Pro Max for shooting and MacBook Pros with M4 Max for editing.
• Mentorship: Established professionals like Vetri Maaran provided guidance to the alumni of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image.

Key Benefits According to Filmmakers

• Personal Expression: Vetri Maaran emphasizes that shooting on iPhone allows for complete personal expression, fostering a democratic era in filmmaking.
• Speed and Ease: Vikramaditya Motwane highlights the speed and convenience of working within the Apple ecosystem, from shooting to editing.
• Creative Flexibility: Cinematographer Rohin Raveendran points out that the small form factor of the iPhone enables unique creative angles, such as capturing a point-of-view shot inside a typewriter.

Technical Advantages

• Features Used: Multiple lenses, Cinematic mode, Action mode, and 4K 120fps slo-mo were all praised by the filmmakers for enhancing their creative control.

You can view six of these films in the Filmed on iPhone playlist on the festival’s website.