A movie camera in your pocket. Thus presented Apple to iPhone 16 Pro Maxa device that, according to the company itself and recognized filmmakers, has completely democratized the film creation process. You no longer need expensive equipment or great productions to shoot a story that impacts. Just have talent, a brilliant idea and an iPhone in your hand.
Apple wanted to underline this message highlighting the success of several short films full with iPhone within its program Filmed on iPhone (recorded with iPhone), an initiative that was born in India and that is already beginning to harvest fruits beyond the mere creative experiment.
Record movies with the iPhone: more possible than ever
Two of the productions participating in last year's edition were recently awarded in the critics' Choice Awards India 2025, rising with the awards for the best short, best direction (short film) and best script. And all this from an iPhone.
The project, which has the support of the Bombay Film Academy and the advice of industry professionals such as the acclaimed Vetri Maaran director, allows young talents to explore the possibilities offered by the iPhone as a filming tool. Maaran does not hesitate to affirm that “we are living the era of cinema democracy”, where creative freedom is available to everyone and not only of those who have millionaire budgets. “Recording with an iPhone allows total personal expression,” he explains.
And the advantages are multiple. Vikramadity Motwane, director of tapes such as UDAAN and Black Warrant, The speed stands out as one of the great attractions of the Apple ecosystem. “Rolling and editing within the Apple environment gives you an incredible advantage: speed,” he says. That agility, together with the perfect integration between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the new Macbook Pro with M4 Max chip, allows creators to have total control over their work, from the foreground to the last color correction.
The Cinematographer Rohin Ravendran, with several titles in Netflix, points out the size of the iPhone as another of its advantages. Its compact format allows the camera to be placed in unthinkable places for a traditional video team. Something so simple and at the same time so innovative, possible thanks to the reduced size of the device and its great image quality.
The filmmakers have also highlighted iPhone tools such as Cinema modethe action mode or the possibility of recording in 4K at 120 fps. These functions, which were previously reserved for cameras of thousands of euros, are now integrated as standard on a smartphone. It is no accident that Apple has opted so strong to show everything your device can achieve with a little creativity.
For those who want to check it with their own eyes, the festival that collaborates with the program has created a playlist with six of the short films. Diverse stories, different styles and the same tool: the iPhone.
Apple is not only selling a phone; It is redefining what it means to make cinema in the 21st century. Because if an award -winning film can be recorded with the mobile you have in your pocket, there mays not anymore excuses not to tell your story.
