The inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival showcased cinematic excellence, encouraging cultural exchange and dialogue while paving the way for independent filmmakers and a new generation of cinephiles in Northeast India. Utpal Datta reports…

The Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2024 marked a historic milestone for independent cinema in Northeast India, celebrating diverse storytelling from across Asia. Held at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio, the festival showcased 24 critically acclaimed films, with a dedicated competition section for Northeast Indian filmmakers. Featuring renowned personalities like Prasanna Vithanage, Onir, and Sheeba Chadha, GAFF fostered meaningful dialogues on gender issues, cultural narratives, and independent filmmaking. The festival also honoured outstanding films with prestigious awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Performer. With a vision to promote cinematic excellence and cultural exchange, GAFF 2024 has laid the foundation for a vibrant film culture in Assam and beyond, setting the stage for even greater editions in the future.

The weather was pleasant, the atmosphere vibrant, and hopes soaring—the inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival commenced on February 7 at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio, filling the air with excitement and anticipation. As the festival concluded, it left behind a lasting note of hope, much like the harmonious finale of an orchestra.

Cinema Beyond Borders—this was the festival's motto, reflected in its diverse lineup of 24 films from across the Asian subcontinent. The competition section, however, was exclusively dedicated to films from Northeast India.

Renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage inaugurated the festival, accompanied by director Akashaditya Lama, actor Sheeba Chadha, and filmmaker Manju Bora.  

A Celebration of Cinematic Diversity

The festival opened with the Persian film In the Arms of the Tree. This deeply emotional and artistically profound film captivated the audience, setting the stage for a well-curated cinematic experience over the next two days.

Pranjal Majumdar, a young research scholar, shared his thoughts:
"In one sentence, this film is a masterpiece. It stimulates every vein of the mind and soul. The way it portrays the impact of parental conflict on a child's mental state—so prevalent in many families—is unimaginable until one watches the film. The narrative is simple yet powerful; one can follow the story even without subtitles. The performance of the three-year-old child was particularly moving—every audience member would have wanted to hug and kiss him. This is truly an awe-inspiring film."

When asked about the festival’s significance, Prasanna Vithanage remarked, "A film festival is not just about screening movies; it is a space for discussions, forming new friendships, and exchanging ideas. I am delighted that GAFF provided all these elements."

The festival also featured three interactive sessions with Sheeba Chadha, Prasanna Vithanage, and Onir. Onir led an engaging discussion on gender issues, capturing the audience’s attention and compelling them to reflect and respond. Additionally, Prasanna Vithanage unveiled Parthajit Baruah’s A History of India's North-East Cinema alongside Monita Borgohain, the Festival Director of GAFF. This comprehensive book, published by Bloomsbury, offers well-researched insights into the cinema of Northeast India. Vithanage expressed hope that the book would serve as a window into the region’s film landscape. 

Honouring Excellence and Envisioning the Future

Prominent Asian filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar’s latest film, Joseph’s Son, won the Best Film Award. Rewben Mashangva received the Best Music Award for the same film. Before Spring, directed by Shrutismriti Changkakoti, secured the Best Director Award, along with Best Performer (Dipjyoti Kakati), Best Cinematography (Jayanth Mathavan), and Best Sound Design (Kalesh Laxman & Bambi). Other awards included Best Editor (Rintu Cetia for Ata Nirjan Dupariya), Best Screenplay (Amardeep Gogoi for Collage), and Jury Special Mentions for Nahid Ahmed (Collage, Cinematography) and Minakshi Gogoi (Amateurs, Performance). 

Organizing such a festival was no easy feat. However, Monita Borgohain, having previously served as Festival Director for the Assam Government’s Guwahati International Film Festival for three consecutive years, brought her experience to GAFF, which she conceptualized with the support of young, passionate cinephiles, academicians, and filmmakers.

Reflecting on the festival’s success, she said, "I am confident that GAFF provided the delegates with the perfect environment to experience cinematic art at its finest. This was just the beginning of a new wave of appreciation for good cinema among the next generation. Additionally, GAFF has created a platform for independent filmmakers to develop their future projects."

The audience lauded the festival as a transformative space for film appreciation and cultural exchange, motivating hopes for an even grander edition next year. Financial constraints exist, but with the support of patrons and partners, the organizers managed to overcome them. Crowdfunding also played a crucial role in making this event possible.