Melbourne has become the international stage for mobile cinema this week as the 14th International Smartphone Film Festival, co-presented by the Mobile Innovation Network & Association (MINA) and SmallRig, begins its run from October 24 to October 29. Over six days, 57 works—53 smartphone films and 4 mobile virtual-reality projects from 21 countries—will be showcased across multiple venues, including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Fed TV at Federation Square.

The festival opens on October 24 with the International Mobile Innovation Screening, featuring 14 films from 12 countries, followed by industry roundtable discussions focusing on the evolving landscape of mobile-first storytelling. Subsequent days host themed programmes: “New Voices” on October 27 spotlights debut filmmakers; October 28’s “Creative” and “#EcoSmartphoneFilms” categories explore environmental and format innovation; and the closing session on October 29 presents the “Innovation” category and the social-change highlight film “Youth United Will Never Be Defeated”.

SmallRig, known globally for its imaging-accessory solutions across livestreaming, vlogging and professional productions, has joined MINA to launch the “SmallRig Mobile Filmmaking Co-Creation Initiative”. This platform invites creators worldwide to collaborate, access equipment and develop original mobile-shot projects—extending SmallRig’s mission to empower creators in over 160 countries. MINA reports a 97.6 per cent year-on-year surge in submissions for the 2025 edition, underscoring mobile filmmaking’s rapidly expanding influence.

Testimonials from the organisers emphasise how smartphones and mobile devices are redefining cinematic access. SmallRig’s founder, Zhou Yang, observed that the festival reflects “mobile shooting’s growth into an integral part of everyday creation”. MINA’s founder and curator, Max Schleser, described the surge of entries as “a testament to mobile filmmaking’s growing influence”.

The festival not only presents films but fosters cross-industry exchange via panel discussions on topics such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), vertical-video formats and mobile augmented-reality storytelling. These sessions bring together filmmakers, directors and technology specialists to engage with emerging trends at the intersection of technology and narrative.

With the mobile-filmmaking sector transitioning from niche experimentation to mainstream creative practice, the 14th MINA Festival in Melbourne offers a vital forum for storytelling shaped by mobility, immediacy and innovation—marking a significant milestone for the global community of creators using pocket devices to tell bold new stories.