by admin | Jun 22, 2024 | Festival Circuit
The films from North East India that found places in MIFF brightened this zone and significantly impacted the National landscape, inspiring a hopeful future for Indian cinema. The IDPA award for the Best Student Film at MIFF was awarded to ‘Chanchisoa (Expectation),’ a Garo film directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das. The award includes a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
The other films from this region are ’Birubala witch to Padmasri’ by Aimee Baruah, ‘Sibuk’ by Asutosh Kashyap, ‘Fehujali’ by Dr Partha Sarathu Mahanta, ‘Cycle of Eternity’ by Souradeep Dutta, ‘Challenge’ by Sibanu Bora and Ramen Bora, ‘River still Flows’ by Dip Bhuyan, and ‘Caretaker’ by Biswajit Das. Shilpika Bardaloi’s ‘Sakyad: The Ecological Body’ featured in the student film section.
The North East Indian film industry was not just a participant at MIFF, it was also a key player. Meghachandra Konbam, a renowned film critic from Manipur, and Bobby Sarma Baruah from Assam were part of the esteemed jury board. Ronel Haobam from Manipur was in the selection committee of the International Competition. Filmmaker Prerona Borbora, film critic Utpal Datta, and singer-actor Queen Hazarikaa too took part in the panel discussions.
by admin | Jun 20, 2024 | Festival Circuit
On the sidelines of the ongoing 18th Mumbai International Film Festival, the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) organized an Open Forum on the topic ‘Creating new opportunities for documentary-funding’. Esteemed speakers from the film industry shared their insights, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for the financial viability of documentary films in India.
Opening the discussion, Shri Sanjit Narwekar, a V. Shantaram Awardee and National Award winner, emphasized the importance of developing a paying audience for documentaries in India. He noted that until such a culture emerges, documentary films cannot be made financially viable. He pointed out that while people are ready to finance fiction films, the lack of a revenue model hampers funding for documentaries. “ Some filmmakers finance their own films which gives them artistic freedom. We have seen government, corporate and crowdsourcing funding for documentaries, but none has really worked for filmmakers. People who spend their money always have some strings attached to it,” he said.
The veteran filmmaker also added that new technology and streaming platforms like MUBI are providing more screening avenues for documentaries. He posed the question of whether Indian documentary filmmakers could conceive a project like ‘Commandant’s Shadow’ given the current financial constraints.
Shri Premendra Mazumder, a film critic, author, and organiser, echoed this sentiment by stating that Indian audiences do not have a widespread culture of watching documentaries and a paying audience base must be established first. He noted that film festivals like MIFF play a crucial role. Shri Mazumder highlighted the global scale of the documentary film industry, valued at around $12 billion, but lamented that India’s share is minimal. “With approximately 18,000-20,000 films receiving certifications annually in India, only around 2,000 are feature films. Rest are documentary films. But we are not seeing this whole chunk of films being screened anywhere. Organizations like NFDC go a long way in promoting work of new documentary filmmakers”, he opined.
Shri Dharam Gulati, a Producer, Director, Director of Photography and an academician, pointed out the need for OTT platforms dedicated to documentary films. He observed that modern technology has reduced the cost of documentary filmmaking, enabling filmmakers to self-fund their projects. Gulati stressed that commitment, not just financial gain, is crucial for documentary filmmakers. He proposed that the government provide tax deductions to corporates using CSR funds for documentaries and mandate multiplexes to screen documentaries in exchange for tax benefits.
Sharing a differing perspective, Shri Utpal Datta, a writer and professor of Practice at Assam Down Town University, highlighted the challenges of complex bureaucratic processes in obtaining government funding. Shri Datta emphasised that people value paid content over free offerings and suggested that documentary film festivals should always charge for attendance.
Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, an independent filmmaker and freelance writer, emphasised the need for documentary filmmakers to evolve and explore emerging platforms like YouTube and OTT services. She suggested seeking funds from organisations with specific themes and utilizing corporate funds. Dr. Thakur proposed institutionalising documentary filmmaking to attract funding and recommended that different stakeholders, such as IDPA and the Bitchitra collective, collaborate to finance documentaries and establish fellowships for aspiring filmmakers. She also highlighted the potential of crowd funding and the importance of creating compelling content to attract viewership. Thakur noted the increasing number of women documentary filmmakers, helping to close the gender gap in the industry.
The session was moderated by Ms. Maya Chandra, a film production entrepreneur, who observed that youngsters seem less passionate about documentaries than feature films. She called for discussions on establishing a separate body or ecosystem for documentary film promotion. Chandra mentioned that corporate funds have recently started flowing into documentary films in states like Karnataka and suggested that IDPA could partner with theatre chains like INOX and PVR to screen documentaries, thereby cultivating an audience culture.
(In Photo From right to left :Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, Shri Dharam Gulati, Shri Sanjit Narwekar, Shri Premendra Mazumder, Shri Utpal Datta and Ms Maya Chandra participating in an Open Forum discussion at 18th MIFF)
by admin | Jun 17, 2024 | Festival Circuit
The award-winning documentary “Challenge,” co-directed by Sibanu Bora and Ramen Borah, has been selected for screening at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). The film, which recently clinched the Best Documentary award at KIFF 2023, offers a poignant portrayal of Princhi Gogoi, a physically challenged girl from Assam’s Sonari district.
At its core, “Challenge” is a testament to the unwavering spirit of Beauty Gogoi, Princhi’s mother, who defied financial, social, and emotional odds to support her daughter. The documentary highlights the struggles faced by an economically disadvantaged family in raising a child with severe physical limitations while celebrating the mother’s relentless efforts to ensure her daughter’s education and self-reliance.
The film’s narrative, beautifully crafted by Purbani Goswami, is brought to life through the masterful cinematography of Hiten Thakuria and the combined sound design and mixing talents of Debajit Changmai and Amrit Pritam. The voices of Pabitra Margherita and Jitendra Ramprakash add depth and resonance to the storytelling, showcasing the collective dedication and talent behind the film.
“Challenge” not only chronicles Princhi’s journey but also serves as a powerful testament to life’s inherent beauty and the strength of perseverance. Its selection for MIFF is a significant milestone, underscoring the documentary’s growing recognition and impact on the festival circuit.
by admin | Jun 15, 2024 | Festival Circuit
In a significant achievement for Northeast Indian cinema, filmmaker Prabal Khaund’s latest documentary, “The Last Generation,” has been officially selected for screening at the prestigious International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). The film sheds light on an endangered tribe in Arunachal Pradesh and marks another milestone in Khaund’s illustrious career.
“The Last Generation” is a collaborative effort, bringing together some of the region’s finest talents. Produced by Gopal Jalan and Dhruba Kakati, the documentary features cinematography by Chida Bora and editing by Ghanashyam Deka. Two notable artists crafted the film’s auditory landscape: Rajib Kashyap, who composed the background score, and National Film Award winner Debajit Gayan, who was responsible for sound design.
Khaund, who also serves as the Vice President of Chalachitram, a prominent film society in Assam, has consistently pushed the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. His selection for IDSFFK not only brings attention to the endangered tribe featured in the film but also highlights the growing recognition of Northeast Indian cinema on the international stage.
by admin | Jun 10, 2024 | Festival Circuit
Celebrating Assamese cinema’s rich legacy, the documentary film “Baruahar Sangsar” was nominated at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). Directed by renowned journalist, National Award-winning critic, and filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, the film pays tribute to the illustrious Baruah family, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of Assam.
The Baruah brothers, who hail from the northeastern state, have shaped Assamese filmmaking and culture. Their collective efforts span various facets of the industry, including writing, directing, acting, lyrical composition, music direction, singing, choreography, and production.
Nip Baruah, a pioneering figure, directed 15 feature films, while his brothers Brajen and Dibon helmed 5 and 7 films, respectively. Brajen Baruah’s musical prowess shone through as he composed scores for 8 films, and Ramen Baruah’s melodies graced over 30 Bengali and Hindi productions. Dipen Baruah’s melodious voice resonated in more than 50 films, lending his talents to Ramen Baruah’s compositions and those of other music directors.
Borpujari’s documentary, “Baruahar Sangsar,” delves into this illustrious family’s remarkable lives and contributions, capturing their enduring impact on Assamese cinema and culture. The film has already garnered recognition on various national and international platforms, and its selection for the New York Indian Film Festival is a testament to its artistic and cultural significance.
Director Utpal Borpujari attended NYIFF and participated in the discussions and Q&A sessions, giving audiences the chance to gain deeper insights into the creation of this significant documentary and the rich legacy it celebrates. “Baruahar Sangsar” took center stage in New York. The production not only aims to entertain and educate audiences, but also serves as a profound tribute to the Baruah family’s invaluable contributions. It ensures that their artistic and cultural legacy will continue to inspire and resonate for generations to come.
In addition to the NYIFF Grand Jury Awards, two awards were also presented by the Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI). An award for the Best Debut Film, bagged by Sumanth Bhat’s ‘Mithya’. And a Special Mention for another debut film, bagged by Sharan Venugopal’s ‘Three Sons of Narayani’. The FCCI jury members comprised KP Jayasankar, Madhu Eravankara, and Utpal Datta. Last year, Neetha Syam’s Assamese film, Footprints on Water, had won the FCCI Award for Best Debut Film.
In the next NYIFF edition, House of Illusions, an indie film studio set up primarily to discover obscure talent and to encourage the creation of good cinema, would be instituting an award for the Best Film by a Woman Director. House of Illusions was founded by Christopher Dalton, the artistic director of the Chalachitram National Film Festival.
