The 10th edition of the Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF) concluded at the Jyoti Chitraban film studio premises, with Manipuri short feature “Toy Gun” and Assamese documentary “The Silent Crisis” winning the top honours in the Northeast India section.
Directed by Parashuram Thingnam, “Toy Gun” is set in a conflict-affected region and follows a widowed mother and her young son, whose play with a toy gun gradually unearths memories of real violence and inherited trauma. “The Silent Crisis”, directed by Smitakshi B. Goswami, highlights the vulture conservation efforts of Phuleswari Dutta, an Assam Gaurav Award recipient.
In the Rest of India section, the award for Best Short Feature went to “Gaach Pathar”, directed by Somnath Bag, while “The Redemption”, directed by Harikishan MV, won Best Documentary.
Other major accolades included Best Director awards for Sumi Saikia (“In 9 Months”) and Shiddhartha Sharma (“Ankur”). Rupamjyoti Saikia won Best Cinematographer for “The Khamyang Story”, and Ambarish Barkataki took home Best Editor for “Ananta Jatra”. A Jury’s Special Mention was awarded to Nithan for “Take Away”.
The closing ceremony was graced by State Minister Nilima Devi and RSS Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh Sunil Mohanty. Addressing the gathering, Minister Devi acknowledged the inherent challenges of crafting documentaries and short features, urging filmmakers to draw inspiration from the lives of martyrs and great personalities to help the new generation connect with India’s glorious history and culture.
Mohanty alleged that certain anti-national elements are attempting to use cinema to propagate negative narratives about Bharat and its heritage. He expressed hope that the Chalachitram platform would inspire the film fraternity to produce more culturally rooted cinema for international audiences.
Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, the two-day festival was held under the central theme “Our Heritage, Our Pride”. It showcased 44 acclaimed documentaries and short feature films across competitive and non-competitive sections.
The festival opened on October 24 with the screening of the Japanese film “Kintsugi”, directed by Noomen Noomen, and concluded with the Uzbek film “Present”, directed by Asadbek Akmal Ogli. A special tribute screening of “Bhupen Da Uncut”, directed by Bobbeeta Sharma, was also held to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
The festival was inaugurated by National Award-winning director Dr. Santwana Bardoloi. During the ceremony, a festival souvenir titled “Chalachitram”, edited by senior cine journalist Hemchandra Doley, was released by Vidyasagar, Chairman of the Jyoti Chitraban Film Society.
Members of the preview committee—Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, Bibhu Dutta, Hiten Thakuria, Dipak Dutta, and Babita Sharma—were introduced to the audience, alongside jury members Vishnu Sarma (Delhi), Sujit Debbarma (Tripura), and Ramen Bora (Assam).
Conceptualised in 2016 to bring independent cinema closer to the public and promote Indian culture, the event began as the Guwahati Film Festival (GFF) in 2017. Now in its 10th edition, the distinctive festival has earned its place among India’s elite cinematic events, joining the ranks of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Jagran Film Festival, Jeevika Film Festival, and the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival, among others.
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*Senior journalist based in Guwahati
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