International Competition for the First Feature Films of Directors aims to attract fresh talent to the festival. Introduced for the first time by an Indian festival, the competition is open to debut filmmakers from all over the world. Films made within one calendar year from the date of upcoming festival can participate in this section and compete for cash awards amounting to USD 200,000.

This section also aims at discovering and honoring new talents in the field of direction and providing them a platform for networking with the entertainment industry.

Films for this section are selected by the Chairman of MAMI Mr. Shyam Benegal and the Festival Director Mr. Srinivasan Narayanan. They are advised in this process by a Selection Committee consisting of Programmers, film experts, a network of selectors and overseas advisors.

The winners from this section, in addition to the cash awards, will carry the prestigious Golden Gateway and Silver Gateway, named after the Mumbai city's iconic landmark GATEWAY OF INDIA.