Guwahati, the virtual capital of Northeast India turned into a host for an international (non-feature) film festival. Organised by Films Division under the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (GoI) in collaboration with Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Limited the three-day festival was inaugurated by the State chief minister Tarun Gogoi on October 17 at Ravindra Bhavan in the city.
The first ever Guwahati International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation films showcased some award wining film-works from a number of countries including Poland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Australia and India. The package for screening also comprised the creative works of some outstanding film makers of the country like Satyajit Ray, Gulzar, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Ashis Mukherjee, Vinod Chopra, Jabbar Patel, Chaaru Kamal Hazarika etc.
"The package includes 14 selected award winning films from Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation films. Moreover, it comprises 12 films on Assam made by the Films Division," informed Joshy Joseph, Director of Films Division.
Similarly, 23 other best films under the documentary and animation sections from the archive of Films Division were also screened.
It may be mentioned that Films Division, which was set up in 1948, produces (and distributes) documentary, short and animation films on various issues covering art-culture, education, history, science, environment, health, family welfare, sports etc. It has, in fact, evolved as one of the largest documentary and short film producing institutions in the world. With an aim to bring the non-feature film makers of India and also from abroad, the Films Division initiated the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation films in 1990, since then it had been a success.
"I hope the Guwahati festival will go a long way to encourage more and more young people for culturally rich Guwahati to make quality documentary films," said Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer of Films Division. He also added that the festival was also the best forum for young, aspiring and already well entrenched film makers to get an opportunity to see works of others across the world and exchange thoughts and common concerns.
The Assam capital earlier witnessed a film festival of World Cinema during February. The festival for feature films was organised by Guwahati Cine Club, where some of eminent film makers like Aribam Shyam Sharma, Girish Kasaravali with award wining actor Seema Biswas personally attended the programme.
Talking to media persons, Bobbeeta Sharma, Chairperson of Assam State Film (Finance & Development) Corporation Ltd said that the festival was expected to be of great benefit for the film maker as well as film lovers as it showcased a number of nationally and inter-nationally acclaimed films.
Prior to it, an International Documentary and Short Film festival took place in Guwahati during January. The festival included 38 foreign short films and six Indian works. The city of nearly 15 lakh population also hosted an environmental film festival in November 2006. The CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Travelling Film festival showcased 16 films on wildlife and environment. It also comprised few sessions of discussion on 'What makes a good environment film?' and 'Green media and green films in NE India: Challenges and Opportunities' with other relevant topic and issues.
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