The Assam government will give away cash awards worth Rs 57 lakh during the 7th Assam Film Awards and Film Festival, 2018 on Saturday and Sunday in the presence of prominent names from Bollywood.
The state film award which is being resumed after a gap of three years would also add seven new awards for filmmakers and actors in Assam.
“We are honouring the filmmakers and artistes for the last two years…this is after a gap of three years. The state government will also make it an annual event to promote and encourage the people in the film fraternity,” minister of culture Naba Kumar Doley told reporters in Guwahati on Friday.
Altogether 58 awards will be given for 2015-16 and 2016-17. This time seven new awards have been added in the name of Bhupen Hazarika, veteran filmmaker Abdul Majid, evergreen Assamese actor Biju Phukan, actor Bijay Shankar, actor Indra Bania and musician Jayanta Hazarika.
Jatin Bora, chairman of Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation (ASFFDC) said that the prize money have been doubled this year.
“The lowest is Rs 50,000 and the highest is Rs 2 lakh. Altogether Rs 57 lakh, besides the trophies, will be given this time. We will also felicitate the national film winners,” said Bora.
Pramathesh Barua memorial lifetime achievement award will be given to singer Dwipen Baruah for 2015-16 and veteran actress Mridula Baruah for 2016-17.
Popular Bollywood actor of yesteryears who has also been associated with regional films, Amol Palekar, was the chairman of the jury. Besides Palekar, prominent Bollywood filmmaker Prakash Jha will be present during the two-day event.
Several classics of Assamese film history will be screened during the festival. Apart from that, Rima Das’s ‘Village Rockstars’ will be screened, which has won the Golden Lotus at the 65th National Film Awards besides a host of awards from across the globe.
Dr Bezbarua (1969), one of the classics which will be completing the 50th year will also be screened during the occasion.
