The International Guwahati Film Festival, now in its 18th edition, is showcasing a variety of films from around the globe including Germany, Russia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Vietnam, Brazil, and Montenegro, as well as Indian films in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bodo, Manipuri, and Bengali. The five-day festival commenced with an inaugural session at the Kanaklal Baruah Auditorium, organized by the Gauhati Cine Club, featuring internationally renowned filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma as the Chief Guest and filmmaker Rajni Basumatary as the Guest of Honour. In his inaugural speech, Sharma emphasized the importance of cinema clubs and shared his gratitude towards the Gauhati Cine Club for significantly influencing his career, recalling his connections with past filmmakers, notably Bhabendra Nath Saikia and Jahnu Barua.
Rajni Basumatary acknowledged the festival’s longevity and its role in bringing exceptional cinema to the region. The event also included a tribute to cultural icons Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, dedicating this year’s festival to their memory. The festival brochure, prepared by Kushal Dutta, along with the annual publication Chitrachinta, edited by Garima Kalita and Miftauddin Ahmed, was launched during the session.
The festival’s Retrospective segment features Sharma’s classic Indian film “Ishanou”, alongside his other works “Imagi Ningthem” and “Sanab”. Additionally, Arup Manna’s film “Samparan” will premiere during this edition, and there will be a tribute screening of the National Film Award-winning film “Dinabandhoo” by Munin Barua, which starred and had music composed by Zubeen Garg. The closing film of the festival will be “Gorai Phakhri”, directed by Rajni Basumatary. All screenings will take place at the Kanaklal Baruah Auditorium, with the festival concluding on February 17.