Arup Manna’s film ‘Aamrityu’ (The Quest) was presented with the Golden Camera for being the the Best Feature Film of Northeast and received a cash prize of Rs 2,000,00 in the closing ceremony of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), 2018 here on Wednesday.
The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival, 2018 drew its curtains down on Wednesday at the Srimanta Sankardeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra in Guwahati amidst a packed audience.
Monjul Baruah directed ‘Kaaneen’ (A Secret Search) was conferred the Silver Camera for being the 2nd Best Feature Film of Northeast and received a cash prize of Rs 150,000.
The Special Jury Award for individual with a cash prize of Rs.100,000 went to actor Arun Nath for his performance in the Himjyoti Talukdar-directed film ‘Calender’ while the Jury’s Special Mention Award went to Partha Hazarika for his performance in the film ‘Kaaneen’ (A Secret Search).
The award presentation was attended by Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, Padmashree Shaji N Karun, eminent filmmaker, Manju Borah, chairperson of the Jury and noted filmmaker, other Members of the Jury are Mathieu Roy and Golam Rabbany Biplob; Riho Kruuv, Ambassador of Estonia, Ng Boon Yian, Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore to India, Ong Chong Hui, First Secretary (Political), Singapore, Aribam Syam Sharma, eminent Indian filmmaker, Chandra Ratnam, eminent filmmaker of Sri Lanka and others.
Padmashree Shaji N Karun graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Preetom Saikia, Commissioner & Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department, Assam and Pabitra Margherita, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban were also present on the occasion.
Also read: Assam: Patowary inaugurates ASEAN section of GIFF
Over the course of seven days, the movies witnessed a record number of footfalls of more than 10,000 viewers. And the organisers had to stop all forms of registration on the second day itself.
The 7-day extravaganza between October 25 and October 31, screened over a hundred films an exclusive array of finest Asian, Arab, Mediterranean, European and North East Indian cinema which also included India premiere of the Jahnu Barua-directed Assamese film ‘Bhoga Khirikee’ among others.
In his concluding speech, Minister Doley said that the film festival, besides creating a platform for international filmmakers to network and promote their work, has also been the forum for many emerging filmmakers of the region.
Earlier, Jyoti Chitraban chairman Margherita announced that the Assam Government has accorded approval for holding a Short Film, Documentary and Children’s Film Festival very soon.
Festival Director Monica Borgohain in her speech said: “This edition of GIFF was special for us in many ways. We not only got the cooperation from all 10 ASEAN countries but also the presence of Ambassadors and envoys from Serbia, Argentina, Latvia, Myanmar, Lithuania, Estonia have certainly boosted our spirits and encouraged us to eye bigger goals in the future.”
