Guwahati International Film Festival

78 films from 32 countries were screened in 1st GIFF. Six Iranian movies that were screened at the GIFF are ‘Dokhtar’ by Reza Mirkarimi, ‘Rokha Divaneh’ by Abolhassan Davoodi, ‘Malaria’ by Parviz Shahbazi, ‘Raftan’ by Navid Mahmoudi, ‘Valderama’ by Abbas Amini and ‘Inja Kassi Nemimirad’ by Hossein Kondoir. The five films of Turkey were ‘Ember’ directed by Zeki Demirkubuz, ‘Yarim’ by Cagil Nurhak Aydogdu, ‘Toz Bezi’ by Ahu Ozturk, ‘Rauf’ by Baris Kayer and Soner Caner, and ‘Kalander Sogugu’ by Mustafa Kara. Films from Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Latvia, Japan, Belgium, Ireland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Israel, Greece, Austria, Russia, Philippines, Afghanistan, Peru, Romania, Denmark, Cyprus, Estonia and the United States were also shown.[2]

The GIFF had sections on World Cinema, Indian Panorama, Retrospectives, Cinema of North East, Cinema of Assam and the Tribute. The list of Assamese films included renowned director Jahnu Baruah’s ‘Hkhagoroloi Bohu door’, ‘Ajeyo’, ‘Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai’ and ‘Konikar Ramdhenu’. Films by pioneering filmmakers of Assam — Dr Bhupen Hazarika (‘Shakuntala’), Abdul Mazid (‘Chameli Memsahib’) and Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia (‘Sandhya Raag’) were also shown.

The GIFF had competition section only for Assamese films, where Sankar Borua-directed ‘Khandobdaah’ (Grief on a Sunday Morning) was adjust the best. ‘Antardrishti’ (Man with the Binocular) by Rima Das awarded the second best Assamese film, while ‘Haanduk’ (The Hidden Corner) of Jaicheng Jai Dohutia received the Special Jury Award.

Film personalities such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shaji N Karun, Jahnu Barua, Resul Pookutty and A K Bir were associated with GIFF in various capacities. [3]

Total 108 movies from 50 countries screened in 2nd GIFF. During the event, films from Spain, France, Argentina, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Cambodia, Croatia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Israel, Greece, Russia, Turkey, Philippines, Iran, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Qatar, Indonesia, Portugal, Venezuela, Sri Lanka and Mexico are shown. This year, ASEAN was the focus region instead of the usual practice of having a focus country. There were 16 films from 10 countries of the ASEAN region screened in the festival.

The competition category of the GIFF saw the Golden Camera, the Best Feature Film of North East, going to Arup Manna's film 'Aamrityu- The Quest'. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000. The Silver Camera for second Best Feature Film of North East, with a cash prize of Rs 1,50,000, went to 'Kaaneen A Secret Search'. Special Jury Award for Individual with a cash prize of Rs 100, 000 went to Arun Nath for his performance in the Film 'Calendar'; and the Jury's Special Mention Award went to Partha Hazarika for his performance in the film 'Kaaneen- A Secret Search'.[5]