6 awards for Assam at 70th National Film Awards

6 awards for Assam at 70th National Film Awards

by | Aug 17, 2024 | Festival Circuit

Emuthi Puthi, a feature film by Kulanandini Mahanta, has been declared the recipient of the Rajat Kamal Award for best film in the regional language (Assamese).  The film was commercially released and drew attention from the audience in all sections for its novel theme and unique presentation.

Assamese writer Parthiv Dhar received the Swarna Kamal for Best Writing in Cinema for his book Kishor Kumar, which he co-wrote with Anirudh Bhattacharya.

Nabapam Deka’s ‘Sunyata’ short feature under 30 months receives the Best Short Film award. He says- ‘Xunyota – The journey of Xunyota began at the Kolkata International Film Festival. From there, it screened at several Indian festivals before crossing borders to be shown at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. And now, as of yesterday, this film has brought home the National Award for Best Film. This film has completed a successful journey far beyond our imagination. In this moment, I want to extend my sincere thanks to my incredible team. Without your selfless contributions, none of this would have been possible.’

In the category of Best Feature Film in Each of the Language Other Than Those Specified In the Schedule VIII of the Constitution Dr. Bobby Sharma Baruah’s ‘Sikaichal’ won the award for Best Tiwa Film. In the non-feature category, Parthasarathi Mohanta’s documentary ‘Hargila’ and Aimi Barua’s documentary ‘Birubala: Witch to Padma Shri’ won special mention awards.

North East Films in MIFF

North East Films in MIFF

by | 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.