The Mumbai Festival, launched in 2005, was the first attempt to develop a community based festival for the city of Mumbai. It is a unique model of public private partnership under which NGO’s, Private parties, Government and related Authorities work cohesively.

The festival is evolving in nature. It is not designed by any one person; the entire city contributes to the event(s). Anyone can develop and organize an event on approval by the Mumbai Festival Committee (MFC).

Mumbai, India’s commercial and entertainment capital has an impact on the people who live here, their sense of place, identity and values. The Mumbai Festival aims to help keep the citizens of Mumbai feeling positive about where they live tuned in to their city’s public life.

The Mumbai Festival provides an annual opportunity.

• To convey a positive message about Mumbai to a wider world, raising its profile and image to attract tourists and potential investors in the city.
• For the wider world to engage with the artistic and business communities of Mumbai, allowing a platform to convey information and positive images to the diverse and dynamic Indian society.
• Through bilateral and multilateral activity (primarily in arts and culture) to be a meeting place of ideas, opportunity for exchange and a force for international understanding and intercultural dialogue.
  

Through its program, the festival is aware of its capacity to

• Create platforms for young people and all the community
  Build partnerships for understanding and confidence
  Promote pride in our wonderful city and country
  Change and grow with the city
  

In considering the contribution that international participants can make to the festival, all of the above factors are relevant. The festival wants to see its international program, where possible, contribute to

• Developing people-to-people cultural and emotional ties.\
• Ensuring Mumbai develops as a global destination.
• Providing quality, professional cultural events accessible to local people.
• Getting local people excited and inspired and augmenting their cultural wealth.
• Developing the local creative and cultural sector.