Assamese short film ‘Xogun’ (Vulture) by national award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari has been selected to be screened at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) which is scheduled to begin from August 28.
Apart from ‘Xogun’, Kalpa Jyoti Saikia’s ‘In Frame’ and ‘Panthougi Uklam’ (Footprints of the Father) by Rakesh Moirangthem of Manipur have also been included in the non-competition section.
BISFF is one of the only two Oscar-qualifying short film festivals in India.
Utpal Borpujari’s ‘Xogun’ which is based on a story by journalist-writer Manoj Kumar Goswami, will also be screened at the Chalachitram National Film Festival, Guwahati which starts from August 10.
“My film will be screened at the non-competition section at the BISFF. I’m happy for it,” Borpujari said.
‘Xogun’ also travelled to the 21st New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). It had earlier won the Best Film award in the short film competition of the 13th Guwahati International Film Festival organised by the Gauhati Cine Club and was screened at the 14th Signs Festival in Thiruvanathapuram, considered among the most prestigious short film and documentary festivals in India.
Filmed in Agia area of Goalpara with the support of Badunduppa Kala Kendra, the film, like the original story, takes a critical and hard look at certain aspects of modern-day journalistic practices in a powerful way.
Borpujari has won the national award in his debut feature film Ishu. He has also won the national award as a film critic.
