The Assamese feature films Romantic Affairs and Aakuti (Longing), directed by Monjul Baruah and Snigdha P. Roy respectively, have secured a significant international milestone by being selected for the competition section of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2026.
According to the list of nominations, Romantic Affairs and Aakuti (Longing) feature among some of the leading titles this year, which include films such as Baksho Bondi, Victoria, Flowers of Acacia, Boong, and The Elysian Field. All of these films have emerged as major contenders across categories.
Romantic Affairs has been nominated for the awards for Best Film and Best Actress (Kasvi Sonkorison), while Aakuti (Longing) has been nominated for Best Debut Film and Best Child Actor (Kavisha Mahanta).
Celebrating the recognition, the producer of Romantic Affairs, Sanjive Narain, wrote on Instagram, “With nominations for Best Film and Best Actress, this moment feels truly special. More than an achievement, it feels like a reminder of why we started this journey.” In a similar vein, Tanuja P. Roy, executive producer of Aakuti, shared on Facebook, “Grateful, overwhelmed and excited for what lies ahead. This is just the beginning.”
Aakuti traces the emotional journey of a child and the quiet, tender bond between a father and daughter as they try to sail through life, while Romantic Affairs is a coming-of-age tale of a young girl as she moves through tumultuous teenage years filled with choices and experiences that shape her identity.
The New York Indian Film Festival is North America’s oldest and most prestigious film festival featuring cinema from India and the Indian diaspora. Presented by the Indo-American Arts Council, NYIFF celebrates alternative and independent cinema from the global Indian community.
The 2026 edition, scheduled to take place in New York City from 28 May to 31 May, continues this tradition by presenting a curated selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films that reflect the diversity and evolution of Indian storytelling. Lakshmipriya Devi’s Boong and Anmol Sidhu’s Flowers of Acacia are scheduled to be the opening and centerpiece films of the festival respectively, whereas Jeejivisha Rajshekhar Kale’s Tighee (Motherhood) is set to be the closing film.