The first edition of Jonaki Film Festival came to an end on November 30 at the PD Hall of Gauhati University in Guwahati.
The two-day film festival witnessed a number of footfalls of more than 2000 cine lovers.
The festival which was held on November 29 and 30 screened 13 films – an exclusive array of fantastic Manipuri, Nagamese, Arunachali, Bodo, Mishing and Assamese cinema which also includes National Award winning director Deep Choudhary’s Alifa.
Also read: 13 films from Northeast to be screened at film fest in Gauhati University
The closing ceremony was attended by ‘Local Kung Fu’ director Kenny Basumatary, ‘Alifa’ fame Deep Choudhary, ‘Kannen’ fame Monjul Baruah, director Dhruva Bordoloi, director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta and actress Jahanara Begum.
The trailer of Kenny Basumatary?s upcoming film ?Suspended Inspector Boro? was also screened in the closing ceremony.
‘Alifa’ fame Deep Choudhary said, “I am quite shocked and surprised to see the huge crowds in the festival.”
He further said, “I am a young director and I want the youth to watch the Assamese cinema. It is a great sign that a good number of young cine enthusiasts have come to the festival to watch the new Assamese cinema. I am hopeful for the future of Assamese cinema.”
“I am extremely delighted by the event ‘Jonaki’ Film Festival as it is a great event and a ray of hope for the regional film Industry as such kind of events are much required in the present time to have better understanding of the films,” said Jahanara Begum, a noted actress.
This event witnessed the release of ‘GU Times’, a leading community newspaper of GU, unveiled by the esteemed directors, faculty members and other dignitaries.
While delivering the audience at PD Hall, Ankuran Dutta, Head of Communication and Journalism Department, GU, said, “I congratulate all the students for their hard work and effort for this event. It was an event by the students, for the students and of the students. I also thank all the directors for accepting the invitation and being present here this evening.”
He also announced the upcoming programme of the Communication and Journalism Department, GU – Quantitative Research Programme – which will be held from December 19 to 21 and also International Folk Media Festival in February.
He also thanked the Gauhati University authority for extending all the support for the event.
During this event, the guests were felicitated. It also marked the presence of some great filmmakers and actors.
Subrat Dutta, chief coordinator of ‘Jonaki’ Film Festival said in his speech that the festival named after Assam?s first cinema hall Jonaki of Tezpur in Sonitpur district.
“We have chosen the festival’s name as Jonaki to convey the message that the existence of cinema halls and the need of good audience are equally important like the other main factors for the growth of a film industry. The sole motive of the festival is to promote language films from Northeast among the students as well as provide a roadmap for aspiring filmmaker to make films about its people,” Dutta added.
The director of ‘Orang’ Suraj Duwarah said that the Jonaki Film festival should continue. “It is a good initiative by the students of Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University. I hope that other colleges and universities of Assam will also organise such events,” Duwarah added.
‘Jonaki Film Festival was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Dr. Mridul Hazarika. The festival was based on the theme ‘Inspiring the Roots’.