The curtains came down on the 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF-25) at the Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara, Guwahati, on 30 November 2025, where awards, certificates and cash prizes were presented to winning filmmakers in the presence of eminent film personalities, emerging director-producers and enthusiastic cine-goers. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, the two-day festival showcased over 30 short features and documentaries under competitive and non-competitive sections.
Koli, directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumder, was adjudged the Best Short Feature (Northeast India), while Joba, directed by Indira Baikerikar, won the Best Short Feature (Rest of India) award.
The Best Documentary award went to The String Master, directed by Biswajit Das, and the Best Director award was conferred on Bismita Borah for her short feature Who Will Call Out Father Father. The Best Cinematography award was presented to the Expectation team comprising Ramjyoti Krincharan, Ajijul Islam and Elvachisa Sangma, while Samujjal Kashyap won the Best Editing award for Muga. Irungbam Manisana received the Best Screenplay award for The Silent Performer.
The jury, consisting of renowned filmmaker-critic-writer Vijayakrishnan, National Award-winning filmmaker Maipaksana Haorongbam, and leading sound designer-mixer Debajit Gayan, made a Special Mention for Just Breath, directed by Shreyas S. Gautam.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary appreciated the initiative to encourage short-format filmmakers through a significant platform and expressed hope that they would continue creating films highlighting India’s heritage and culture. He also referred to mythological and historical personalities from eastern Bharat whose stories deserve cinematic representation. Jyoti Chitraban Film Society Chairman Bidyasagar Bora and CNFF-25 President Nava Thakuria also motivated filmmakers to work for national causes.
The First Film, directed by Piyush Thakur, was screened as the closing film, while Aham Bhartam, directed by Bharat Bala, opened the festival.
The unique visual celebration, themed ‘Our Heritage, Our Pride’, received nearly 100 entries (produced between 1 November 2024 and 15 September 2025 with a maximum duration of 25 minutes). The preview committee comprising veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, and cinematographer Hiten Thakuria finalized the screening package. The festival, dedicated to nationalism and paying tribute to India’s civilizational heritage, was inaugurated on 29 November by Dr. Sunil Mohanty, Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, by lighting the ceremonial lamp before portraits of Bharat Mata and Assamese cultural icons Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen Garg, and flutist Deepak Sarma.
An outdoor discussion titled ‘Performing the Self: Acting in the Age of Social Media’, featuring popular Assamese actors Jatin Bora and Kapil Bora, along with versatile performers Poonam Gurung and Kamal Lochan, attracted young filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts. Moderated by poet and film critic Aparajita Pujari, the session explored the blurring line between personal identity and public persona, and the impact of digital platforms on acting, audience expectations, and competition.
The release of the festival souvenir Chalachitram and a special screening of Mon Jai as a tribute to Zubeen Garg added emotional value to the event. Members of the organizing committee — including Kishor Shivam, Bhagawat Pritam, Riju Dutta, Sanjib Parasar, Deepak Dutta, Pranjit Deka, and Buddha Boro — expressed hope that CNFF will continue to inspire young filmmakers to use cinema as a powerful tool for social change across the subcontinent.
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*Senior journalist based in Guwahati
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