Film festivals are a vital link in the chain of global film culture. The second Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) aims at establishing such a global network in this part of the world. The festival will help in generating greater awareness about the film industry of the region and also will create a good network.

Speaking to The News Mill, various film personalities of Assam said that such film festivals can teach people about the ins and outs of making the films and help create a film culture in the region.

“GIFF is a platform where global cinemas, along with some of the good films of the Northeast region, are being screened. Usually filmmakers from here have to go to other places to watch world cinema, but now global cinema is coming here. It is an opportunity for everybody here,” said Pabitra Margherita, filmmaker and chairman of Jyoti Chitraban.

“There is an academic aspect of the festival apart from the entertainment. Students can participate in the open forum, master classes and also can communicate with renowned directors, producers and technicians related to filmmaking,” he added.

He mentioned that the film festival will also strengthen film tourism in the Northeast region as it will give exposure to the various directors for their film shooting.

“Filmmakers from other parts of the country and abroad can be able to see the stunning landscape of the region during their stay here. We will create such chance so that the filmmakers may interest in shooting here. We will provide all the needed help to shoot their films so that they can rediscover Assam as a shooting location,” he said.

Speaking about the participating delegates, Margherita said that around 60-70% of total delegates are students. He said that the festival will help the students who are interested to take films as a career.

“We are going to create good audience for the good movies. It is essential for the development of the local film industry. This film festival is going to create awareness among the audience to watch good films,” Margherita added.

Popular Assam actress Zerifa Wahid said that the Guwahati International Film Festival will give exposure to the students to watch some great films. “GIFF is the best platform for the students to expose themselves to world cinema. It is a good sign that students can come and enjoy the movies. They can learn about the filmmaking process in the master classes from the known film personalities. This film festival, which is the biggest in the Northeast region, will develop a film culture in this region and will increase film literacy.”

Filmmaker Deep Choudhury, of Alifa fame, added that GIFF has enabled the audience to watch films from across 50 countries under one platform. “It is a great exposure for the film enthusiasts here to watch good films from across 50 different countries. It was not possible earlier. It will increase the film literacy among the audience. For the development of a film industry, good audience is equally important as making of a good film,” he said.

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About TNM NewsDesk

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The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]