Assam: 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival -25 concludes with high note in Guwahati

    Scary loneliness of old ages while silently finding reasons to live and also gracefully depart the world, redefining the meaning of death, searching a peaceful home with closest ones, fraud and greed mesmerising the modern lives, an environment supporting the human race, socio-cultural heritages of Bharat enriched with thousands of years of legacy and many other striving issues came alive as 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival showcased over 30 short features and documentaries at Jyoti Chitraban premise in Kahilipara on 29 and 30 November 2025. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the CNFF-25 screened the entries in both competitive and only screening categories, where ‘Koli’, directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumder, was adjudged as the best short film in north-eastern section, and ‘Joba’, directed by Indira Baikerikar, got the award for best short feature in the rest of India category. Best documentary award was conferred on ‘The String Master’, directed by Biswajit Das, whereas best director’s award went to Bismita Borah for her short feature ‘Who Will Call Out Father Father’. ‘Expectation’ team comprising Ramjyoti Krincharan, Ajijul Islam and Elvachisa Sangma received best cinematography award, whereas best editing award went to Samujjal Kashyap for the film ‘Muga’ and best screenplay award to Irungbam Manisana for ‘The Silent Performer’.

            The jury board consisting of renowned filmmaker, critic & writer, Vijayakrishnan, national award winning filmmaker Maipaksana Haorongbam and leading sound designer & mixer Debajit Gayan made a special mention to ‘Just Breath’, directed by Shreyas S Gautam. ‘Aham Bhartam’, directed by Bharat Bala, was shown as the opening film of the festival and ‘The First Film’, directed by Piyush Thakur, was screened as the closing one.

            A few selected entries passionately narrated the tales of aged professionals living in urban localities who deserve helping hands from their well-wishers, some even take solace on folk tales & songs adoring marriage and other rituals to overcome their relentless anguish, encountering eroded family values where almost everybody suffers in different forms. Other selected entries revolved around the traditional love, now overshadowed by growing misunderstanding and no trust, among the family members which finally triumph in the time of distress with a true sense of empathy and forgiveness shown by everyone.

            The young people finding it difficult to cope up with the constant changes in their psychological needs and isolating themselves from other relatives was also addressed in some films, but with a positive note as they energize themselves after rediscovering the unconditional love and affection from nearest ones and prepare for marching ahead pursuing studies and future careers with the sense of responsibility and belongingness in the society. The caste-ridden society and its implications on under-privileged individuals while accessing a dignified life and living to overcome challenges with a determination to defy the prejudices was also featured in some visual pieces. Projected slow learners and differently-able children in some entries may expose a different world to the audience, many of whom have little idea about the painful and emotional moments surrounding those minors. The matriarchal society, where men traditionally leave their own family to adopt a new one after marriage thus putting those fathers in isolation, ancient practises of magic that amuse the young people and help them fantasize to achieve the impossible , the surviving traditional Assamese string puppetry, thousands of years of old textile industry across Bharat and their legacy facing the turmoil of modern technology and lifestyle adopted by most of the people, tales embracing the malevolent spirit once listened and consumed by everyone in the rural world attracted the attention of film-enthusiasts.

            An outdoor discussion on film performance, technique and audience’s response, where popular Assamese actors Jatin Bora and Kapil Bora along with multifaceted performers Poonam Gurung and Kamal Lochan participated, attracted a good number of young filmmakers and appreciators. Moderated by poet and film critic Aparajita Pujari, the deliberation covered a relevant topic ‘Performing the Self: Acting in the Age of Social Media’. The speakers narrated their experiences and also challenges while confronting a world where the boundary between personal identity and public persona increasingly grows blurred. The discussion explored how this new digital stage goes on reshaping performance, audience expectations, and a mounting competition in show business. The unique visual feast for film buffs with the central theme ‘Our Heritage Our Pride’ received nearly hundred entries (produced between 1 November 2024 and 15 September 2025 with the duration of maximum 25 minute.