Guwahati: Curtains came down on the 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival at the Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara on 30 November 2025, as distinguished guests at the closing ceremony handed over awards, certificates, and cash prizes to the winning filmmakers in the presence of eminent film personalities, emerging director-producers and cine-goers. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the two-day CNFF-25 showcased over 30 short features and documentaries across competitive and screening categories. ‘Koli’, directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumder, was adjudged the best short feature in the Northeast India category, while ‘Joba’, directed by Indira Baikerikar, won the best short feature in the Rest of India section.
The best documentary award went to ‘The String Master’, directed by Biswajit Das, while the best director award was presented to Bismita Borah for her short feature ‘Who Will Call Out Father Father’. The team behind ‘Expectation’—Ramjyoti Krincharan, Ajijul Islam and Elvachisa Sangma—won the best cinematography award. Samujjal Kashyap received the best editing award for the film ‘Muga’, and Irungbam Manisana won best screenplay for ‘The Silent Performer’. The jury, comprising renowned filmmaker-critic-writer Vijayakrishnan, national award-winning filmmaker Maipaksana Haorongbam, and leading sound designer-mixer Debajit Gayan, made a special mention of ‘Just Breath’, directed by Shreyas S Gautam.
Gracing the closing event, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary lauded the initiative for giving short-format filmmakers a strong platform. He expressed hope that they would continue making films reflecting the country’s heritage and culture. Daimary cited several mythological and historical characters from eastern Bharat that deserve cinematic portrayal. Sharing the dais, Jyoti Chitraban Film Society chairman Bidyasagar Bora and CNFF-25 president Nava Thakuria also encouraged filmmakers to create cinema for national causes. ‘The First Film’, directed by Piyush Thakur, was screened as the closing film, while ‘Aham Bhartam’, directed by Bharat Bala, opened the festival.
A unique visual feast for film lovers, built around the theme ‘Our Heritage, Our Pride’, the festival received nearly 100 entries (produced between 1 November 2024 and 15 September 2025, with a maximum duration of 25 minutes). The preview committee—veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta and accomplished cinematographer Hiten Thakuria—selected the final package for screening. Celebrating nationalism and showcasing cinema as a tribute to India’s ancient civilization, culture and heritage, the festival was inaugurated on 29 November by Dr. Sunil Mohanty, Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who lit the ceremonial lamp before the portraits of Bharat Mata and three Assamese cultural icons: Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the beloved Zubeen Garg, and flutist Deepak Sarma.
An outdoor discussion on film performance, technique and audience response—moderated by poet and film critic Aparajita Pujari, with participation from popular Assamese actors Jatin Bora and Kapil Bora and multifaceted performers Poonam Gurung and Kamal Lochan—attracted numerous young filmmakers and enthusiasts. The release of the souvenir Chalachitram and a special screening of ‘Mon Jai’ as a tribute to Zubeen Garg added colour to the celebrations. Organizing committee members Kishor Shivam, Bhagawat Pritam, Riju Dutta, Sanjib Parasar, Deepak Dutta, Pranjit Deka, Buddha Boro and others expressed hope that CNFF will continue to inspire budding filmmakers to use cinema as a powerful tool for social change across the subcontinent.
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