Nava Thakuria
Patriotism in varied perspectives, searching of a peaceful home along with warmest ones, scary loneliness of old ages while silently finding reasons to live and also gracefully depart the world, redefining the meaning of death, fraud & greed mesmerizing the modern lives, an environment supporting the human race, socio-cultural heritages of Bharat enriched with thousands of years of legacy and many other striving issues came alive as 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF) showcased over 30 short features and documentaries at Jyoti Chitraban premise in Kahilipara locality of Guwahati on 29 and 30 November 2025. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the CNFF-25 screened the entries in both competitive and only screening categories, where Koli was adjudged as the best short film in north-eastern section, and Joba got the award for best short feature in the rest of India category. Directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumdar, Koli depicts a common but interesting story, where a fifth grade student used to tell the parents incorrectly about his examination marks which irked his younger brother, who finally taught him a cute lesson amidst the parents' affectionate reactions. On the other hand, Indira Sanjay Baikerikar's Joba emerges as a heartfelt tribute to a father by his beloved daughter, where a collection of memories brings alive an individual who almost lost himself in the journey of life.
Best documentary award was conferred on The String Master, whereas best director's award went to Bismita Borah for her short feature Who Will Call Out Father Father. Biswajit Das's The String Master tries to unearth the losing battles by a senior artisan, while pursuing his passion for Assam's dying tradition of string puppetry. Director Bismita took out a rural lady, who is looking for her married daughter with all emotional preparations and a memory full of traditional Assamese melodious wedding songs in her film. Chanchisoa (Expectation) team comprising Ramjyoti Krincharan, Ajijul Islam and Elvachisa Sangma received best cinematography award, where the directors (Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das) successfully depict the struggles of a married male, who came to his wife's house following the matriarchal tradition in Meghalaya, showing him to survive amidst inconsequentialities in the family. Best editing award went to Samujjal Kashyap for Muga, which paints a determined young weaver based in Assam's silk village named Sualkuchi, who never compromised with the golden Muga threads for productions even facing all challenges to maintain her loom, only to win accolades from the government authorities and also dear ones.
Best screenplay award went to Irungbam Manisana for The Silent Performer, where the director Dr H Rakesh portrays an artiste, performing with no such recognition, but continues his passion while quietly navigating life and living. The jury board consisting of renowned filmmaker, critic & writer, Vijayakrishnan, national award winning filmmaker Maipaksana Haorongbam and leading sound designer & mixer Debajit Gayan made a special mention to Just Breath, directed by Shreyas S Gautam, which portrays a young man fighting his own contemplations that was reflected in his behavior, but slowly succeeded in overcoming the inner problems to deal with the current world. Aham Bharatam, directed by Bharat Bala, which projects India's growth based on a strong foundation of culture enriched by its thousands years of history with a visual feast that enroutes the vast landscapes embracing ancient languages, practices, arts, oral traditions, etc was shown as the opening film of the festival and The First Film, directed by Piyush Thakur, narrating a brief story based in orthodox India of Sixties involving a young girl, obsessed with cinema, and a voiceless teenage boy, who used to narrate stories from movies and finally one day the girl found herself in a cinema hall, probably for the last time before her arranged marriage, was screened as the closing one.
The audience got thrilled with Bhairavi, directed by Pranjit Jaunjal, which revolves around a passionate middle-age music lover, who made all efforts to pursue his fantasy to enjoy a live music concert of a legendary singer, even though failed amid the urban disarrays, but continued his obsession putting his family in much worries. Similarly, The Award 1996, directed by Badugu Vijay Kumar, exposing the corruption in social life, where the rural population often face the consequence as it was shown with the heartbreaking story of a poor weaver, who was betrayed by one of his trusted individuals, to only invite a tragic end for the artisan, also drew attention of film buffs. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah, directed by Raja Ukabhai Parmar, depicted an emotional story where a young girl wishes her elder brother, who sacrificed life guarding the nation's borders, on Rakhi Bandhan saying her martyred brother is a real hero. Likewise, Thandi Chai, directed by Pushkar Kumar, defines a hero of real life, who was initially misunderstood by a cheerful college girl during an unplanned confrontation in a roadside traditional restaurant, but soon realized the mistake while keeping her cup of tea cold in the presence of her friends.
Chari Kandha, directed by Biswanath Rath, follows the inherent pain of a tech-savvy senior citizen, who lives alone in an urban apartment building, to find at least four shoulders (persons) to carry him to the cremation ground, but ultimately finds an unexpected supporter. On the other hand, Sutak (The Mourning), directed by Sameeran Dutta Walvekar, briefly narrates the story of a young widow, who realized it was more grieving to live with a person, for whom she hardly developed love and affection, than his final departure. Candy Curse, directed by Juri Sarma and Tapjit Dutta, revolves around a family drama, where the elderly woman, a former teacher, grows enmity towards everyone in the family for restricting sugary items as she was diagnosed diabetes, but a sweet moment engrossed as the grandson offered her a candy. Sunil Pal directed A Day In A Life laments painful moments of a lonely retired businesswoman, who now depends on maids to maintain her urban life pondering if she could invest in a family during her heyday.
Molai: Man Behind The Forest, directed by Dhiraj Kashyap, speaks about Assam's adored forest man Jadav Payeng, who has created a 550 hectares forest reserve (Molai Kathoni) at Aruna Chapori on the bank of Brahmaputra with relentless hard works to win several national and international awards including the Padma Shri. On the other hand, Brikhya Boli, directed by Dwip Baruah, opens up a melodrama to teach the audience about the importance of trees and affection to nature for the survival of the human race on Earth. Bhoomi Jivanar Spandan, directed by Suraj Kr Duwarah, defines the land as a solid supporter of human tradition, culture and livelihood, where the age-old Vaishnavite rituals enrich the social fabrics connecting Assam with India's Vedic past. Shesank Kumar Nayak's Ice Cubes tells the story of an urban family, where three family members live under one roof but with very limited attachments, but finally they realized it was necessary to rejuvenate the family extending comforts to each other beyond personal engagements and unsolicited outsiders. The People's Artist, directed by Ananya Bhuyan, unfolds the creative life of immensely popular painter Pranab Baruah, who developed a generation of visual artists and appreciators in Nagaon locality of central Assam with narrations from his family members and close associates.
Some other entries including Luku (animation), directed by Arunil Konwar, Marm, directed by Nikhil Nagpal, The Buraq That Can't Fly, directed by Zeed M, The First Samurai, directed by Veysel Eryurek, Poli, directed by Janvi Madabusi, Thread Legacy of India, directed by Kriti Dhawan, Knot, directed by Abhay Parveen Gupta, Minus Ten, directed by Somnath Mondal, Lift, directed by Anusheelan S, Beula, directed by B Suresh Kumar and Dipstic, directed by Talat Umri were visual feast for the cine-goers. The unique film-fest with the central theme 'Our Heritage Our Pride' received nearly hundred entries (produced between 1 November 2024 and 15 September 2025 with the duration of maximum 25 minutes), out of which the preview committee comprising veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, award winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta and accomplished cinematographer Hiten Thakuria selected the package for screening.,
An outdoor discussion on film performance, technique and audience's response, where popular Assamese actors Jatin Bora and Kapil Bora along with multifaceted performers Poonam Gurung and Kamal Lochan participated, attracted a good number of young filmmakers and appreciators. Moderated by poet and film critic Aparajita Pujari, the deliberation covered a relevant topic 'Performing the Self: Acting in the Age of Social Media'. The speakers narrated their experiences and also challenges while confronting a world where the boundary between personal identity and public persona increasingly grows blurred. The discussion explored how this new digital stage goes on reshaping performance, committed audience expectations, and a mounting competition in show business. The festival was inaugurated by Dr Sunil Mohanty, Asom Khetra prachar pramukh of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on 29 November by lighting sacred lamps in front of Bharat Mata's portrait and also three Assamese cultural icons namely Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, heart-throb Zubeen Garg and flutist Deepak Sarma. Mohanty in his address asserted that a powerful media like cinema must not be used for earning money with entertainment only, rather it has a major role to play fostering nationalism and paying homage to thousands of years of India's civilisation and cultural heritage.
The distinctive film-fest under the mentorship of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna was initially launched as Guwahati Film Festival in 2017 and it was renamed in 2019 aiming to bring film-works closer to the common people. The inaugural edition was organised at Rabindra Bhawan and nearby institutions, but later it was renamed and permanently shifted to Jyoti Chitraban film studio premise. Gracing the GFF-2017, the then Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, opined that cinema reflects the philosophy of life, reality and expectations of society, and it plays an important role in transforming society. Since its third edition (CNFF-2019), the film-fest continues to showcase creative works on celluloid (now digital outlets) at the premise dedicated to the auspicious memory of Assam's pioneer film-maker Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
Gracing the closing function, Assam legislative assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary appreciated the move to encourage the short duration filmmakers with a gorgeous platform. He also expressed hope that they would continue making films focusing on the country's heritage and culture. Daimary cited a number of mythological and historical characters from far eastern Bharat which deserve due reflections in the movies and digital platforms. Sharing the dais, Jyoti Chitraban film society chairman Bidyasagar Bora and CNFF-25 president Nava Thakuria also encouraged the film fraternity in their endeavour to create films for the national cause. Release of souvenir Chalachitram and a special screening of 'Mon Jai' as a tribute to Zubeen Garg added colour to the festival. India today witnesses a number of intriguing national film festivals across the country of over one billion population in different time slots and the CNFF has now joined the elite clubs. On behalf of the organizing committee Kishor Shivam, Bhagawat Pritam, Riju Dutta, Sanjib Parasar, Deepak Dutta, Pranjit Deka, Buddha Boro, etc, hoped that the CNFF would go a long way to encourage the budding filmmakers in engaging the medium for social changes across the sub-continent in the coming days.
The writer is an Assam-based journalist covering northeast India for three decades
