Himjyoti Talukdar, director of Assamese film Calendar with Festival Director Monita Borgohain

The Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) has evolved as a great platform for the promising filmmakers from Assam. Most of the films made by the local filmmakers that were screened at the seven-day festival got an overwhelming response.

As many as nine films from Assam are being screened at the festival – Bhoga Khirikee, Kaaneen, Aamrityu, Calendar, Xhoixhobote Dhemalite and Phehujali besides Aparoopa and Prabhati Pakhir Gaan in the tribute section.

Bhoga Khirikee (Broken Window), produced by Priyanka Chopra’s Purple Pebble Pictures, Kaaneen (A Secret Search) by Monjul Baruah and Aamrityu by Arup Manna had their India premiere at the festival.

The cinema lovers at the Guwahati International Film Festival lapped up the opportunity to watch the Assamese films with almost all of them having full house. In many occasions, people sat on the floor to watch these films.

“It was really an inexpressible feeling when I watched my own film Calendar sitting on the floor with other audience in an overcrowded auditorium…and that’s too after almost eight months of its theatrical release. GIFF is a wonderful platform for independent filmmakers like us to showcase our works. Besides, it is a rare opportunity for all of us to watch world class cinemas in a single platform. This international initiative will definitely boost up the cinema industry of Assam along with creating a responsible audience circuit,” Himjyoti Talukdar, the director of Calendar told The News Mill.

Bidyut Kotoky, director of Xhoixhobote Dhemalite (Rainbow Fields), which has been screened at different film festivals before coming to GIFF, said that he never expected a houseful audience.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see people sitting on the floor to watch the movie,” said Kotoky.

For Khanjan Kishore Nath whose Chor (The Bicycle) was also screened at the GIFF, it’s a right platform for the independent filmmakers.

“It inspired us to make better film in future. We have experienced great response from the viewers. I hope this tradition will continue even in the theatres when the movies get released. I would like to thank GIFF for this effort,” said Khanjan.

Kaaneen, based on the story of renowned author Rita Chowdhury, is Monjul Baruah’s second feature film after Antareen. It was premiered to an overwhelming response of the viewers at the Guwahati International Film Festival.

“It will be a great help for filmmakers like us. There were lots of students among the viewers which is a very positive sign. It will also help in shaping a film culture in our society,” said Monjul.

The festival is being organised by the state government owned Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute (DBHRGFTA).

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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]