Skip to content Skip to navigation

8th Chalachitram National Film Festival Concludes, Celebrates Cultural Heritage and Social Awareness

By AT News |

Guwahati: The 8th Chalachitram National Film Festival – 2024 concluded at Jyoti Chitraban in Kahilipara, Guwahati, on October 27, celebrating diverse cinematic works. Jaswandha, directed by Shoneel Yallattikar, won the Best Film in the rest of India category, while A Sylvan Saga by Jyoti Prasad Das was awarded the Best Film in Northeast India. Das also took home the Best Director award, and Abhijit Nayak received the Best Screenplay award for Wrong Number, directed by Bijit Borgohain.

Awards for Best Cinematography went to Angsuman Barua & Pradip Ch Sarma for Aadi Shakti Maa Kamakhya and Chida Bora & Saril Nandan Deka for Teens of 1942 (directed by Samiran Deka). The Best Editing award was presented to Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan for Birubala - The Crusader by Dhiraj Kashyap, with a special mention from the jury for A Letter To My Home by Devajani Halder.

Organized by Chalachitram, an initiative of Vishwa Samvad Kendra Assam, the festival showcased 50 documentary and short films in both competitive and non-competitive categories. Themed “Our Heritage, Our Pride,” the event aimed to promote nationalism and celebrate India’s cultural legacy. Topics ranged from heritage and tourism to social reform, arts, and the environment.

The closing ceremony honored winners with cash prizes, trophies, and certificates, attended by notable cine-personalities including Assam’s evergreen actress Mridula Barua, filmmakers Atul Gangowar, Santosh Pathare, and others.

The inaugural screening featured The Last Generation by Prabal Khaund. Competing films included Prayojan (Krishna Das), The Butcher (Tashi Wangshu MJ), and Journey with A Dance Form (Pranjal Pratim Chetia). Non-competition screenings highlighted northeast films such as Being Bald (Krishna Das) and Destination (Dipak Kumar Roy). Films from outside the region included My National Flag (Sweta Kumar Dash) and The Village of Masks (Ritabrita Mitra), among others.

The festival, inaugurated by Cotton University VC Ramesh Ch Deka, featured performances and discussions, drawing young film enthusiasts to Jyoti Chitraban, a campus dedicated to Assam’s pioneer filmmaker Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala.

The organizing team, represented by Kishor Shivam and others, hopes to inspire emerging filmmakers to use cinema as a medium for social empowerment, highlighting the rich heritage of Bharat beyond mere entertainment.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

One killed by wild jumbo in Panery

24 Apr 2016 - 10:15pm | Shajid Khan
A wild loner jumbo created havoc and ransacked number of houses in Barmukoli village under Panery PS of Udalguri on Sunday morning. The wild jumbo also lashed one Benzamin Tirkey (45) of the same...

Majuli Friendship Day on Jan 3

12 Dec 2015 - 12:35am | Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti
Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, a global organisation engaged in promoting the legacy of Srimanta Sankaradeva is organising an event on January 3, 2016 at Nagaon to create awareness about the river...

Ranganadi: Dam, dyke and flood: Whose responsibility to be fixed?

25 Nov 2017 - 10:57pm | Keshoba Krishna Chatradhara
Of late, the Ranganadi Hydropower project seems to have generated no less controversy across the state. The controversy erupted when a huge volume of waters unleashed disaster in the form of flood...

Action Reaction: Assam Govt to handover Prasanna Turung case to CBI

11 Jun 2008 - 2:25pm | editor
Hours after the AASU submitted some specific allegations against five cabinet colleagues of Tarun Gogoi to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the first one to react with action is power minister...

Other Contents by Author

Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Found Murdered in Chhattisgarh, Raising Concerns Over Media Safety

The new year began on a tragic note for India's media fraternity, as journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (30) was found murdered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday. His body was discovered in a newly constructed septic tank owned by an influential contractor in Chattanpara. Mukesh, known for his fearless reporting on corruption and insurgency in central India, had been missing since January 1, 2025. His family had lodged a missing person's report shortly after his disappearance. Mukesh, a seasoned journalist and the creator of the popular YouTube channel Bastar Junction, garnered millions of views for his investigative reports. Local journalists and press organizations have called his death a...

15 Books by Bodo Women Writers Unveiled

A milestone event celebrating the literary contributions of Bodo women writers was held on Monday at the Nativers Institute of Bodology (NIB) in Kokrajhar. The programme, organized by the Bodo Women Writers' Association, witnessed the unveiling of 15 books authored by women writers from the Bodoland region. Prominent personalities, including Dr. Surath Narzary, president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, and Dr. Adaram Basumatary, principal of Kokrajhar Girls' College, graced the occasion as guests of honor. The collection of books showcased diverse genres, including nine poetry anthologies, two short story compilations, and four critical essays. Notable authors like Anju Basumatary, Virgin...

Legal Notices Served to Halt HPV Vaccine Rollout in India

In a significant development, legal notices have been served recently to the Chief Secretaries of 15 Indian states and union territories, demanding the immediate cessation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign. Advocate Mitali Sett issued the notices on behalf of senior gynecologists and members of the Awaken India Movement, citing concerns about informed consent, potential health risks, and non-compliance with Supreme Court mandates. Key Details of the Legal Notices The notices allege violations of the Supreme Court's directives in the landmark case Jacob Puliyel vs. Union of India, which emphasizes the "golden rule" of informed consent. The directives mandate...

Celebration of UNESCO World Heritage Status for Charaideo Moidam and Felicitation of Key Contributors

The people of Guwahati, along with the Tai Ahom people, will come together to celebrate the historic recognition of Charaideo Moidams-the Mound-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event will honor the key individuals whose tireless efforts contributed to achieving this prestigious milestone. The event will be held at Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia College Guwahati, with Dr. K.C. Noriwal, a renowned historian, and other eminent personalities gracing the occasion as chief guests. As part of the program, a detailed presentation showcasing the significance of the Moidams will be screened.

Renowned Filmmaker Bhaskarjyoti Das Passes Away

Renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Bhaskarjyoti Das passed away on Thursday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 51 years old at the time of his demise. Bhaskarjyoti Das was celebrated for his exceptional work in films like Handuk, Sonar Boron Pakhi, and Bakul Phulor Dore, among others. His screenwriting earned him accolades at both state and national levels. He also served as the co-producer and assistant director for the acclaimed film Antardhan. His documentary An Unknown Summer was screened at this year’s Kerala International Documentary and Short Film Festival and gained global recognition. The film was also nominated in the Short Documentary category for the prestigious...

MHA Constitutes Tribunal to Examine Ban on ULFA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to assess whether the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and its affiliates should continue to be classified as an unlawful association. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Michael Zothankhuma of the Gauhati High Court, was formed under Section 5(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This follows the MHA's recent decision to extend ULFA's ban for five more years, citing the group's ongoing efforts to secede Assam from India, links with other insurgent groups, and involvement in extortion and violence. The ULFA, banned since 1990, has a long history of criminal activities,...

5 Pillars of Health: Transforming Your Life Through Simple Changes

In our modern world, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is a harsh reminder of the impact of lifestyle and diet choices on our well-being. As Lalit Kapoor insightfully puts it, “The human body is a self-healing organism.” However, by relying heavily on medications to suppress symptoms, we disrupt this natural process and set off a vicious cycle of dependency and further health complications. The key to vibrant health lies in embracing five fundamental pillars, as seen in communities of the world’s Blue Zones—regions where people live disease-free into their 90s and beyond. Let’s explore these pillars and how they can transform our lives. 1. Food: Nourishing the Body from...

Key Communication Strategies Used by Remote Professionals in India

With remote work on the rise, traditional office arrangements have been completely turned upside down. No one has embraced this transformation quite like remote professionals in India. From freelancers to full-time remote employees, Indian professionals are leveraging a range of creative communication hacks to collaborate with global teams, navigate time zone differences, and remain productive. Whether you’re a remote worker yourself or just interested in how India’s professionals are coping with this new status quo, there’s plenty to be learned from their approach. Remote work relies on one thing above all else: clear, constant communication. This often means leveraging technology,...

Panel Discussion Highlights Human Rights Violations Against Minorities in Bangladesh

Guwahati, December 21: A panel discussion on the "Violation of Human Rights Laws Against Hindus and Other Religious Minorities" was held today at the Bishnu Nirmal Trust Auditorium, Latasil, Guwahati. The event was organized under the banner of Adhivakta Parishad Assam Prant. The discussion featured notable speakers, including  Justice Ajit Borthakur, former Judge of the Guwahati High Court and current member of the Assam Human Rights Commission. Justice Borthakur raised concerns about the status of rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Bangladesh and questioned their protection for all citizens. Former IPS and DGP (OSD) M Mohan Raj provided historical context, comparing...

Assam Chamber of Commerce Organizes 5 KM Fun Run Against Drugs

Guwahati, December 2024: The Assam Chamber of Commerce is set to host a 5 KM Fun Run on January 5, 2025, at 6:00 AM, starting from the Gauhati Town Club, Judges Field, Panbazar. The event, spearheaded by Rupam Goswami, Chairman of the Assam Chamber of Commerce, aims to raise awareness about drug abuse and promote a healthy lifestyle. The fun run, themed “Run for a Cause,” invites participants from all walks of life to join hands in the fight against drugs. Registration for the event is priced at ₹250, with participants required to share a screenshot of their payment via WhatsApp to the organizers. The event promises exciting cash prizes for both male and female runners: ₹5,000 for first...