The 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF-25) opened its doors on 29 November at the historic Jyoti Chitraban film studio, not merely as another cultural event on the city’s calendar but as a space where cinema, heritage, and community meet. In a state where films have long doubled as archives of identity and vessels of collective memory, the festival’s inauguration—marked by the lighting of sacred lamps before the portraits of Bharat Mata and Assam’s cultural icons—felt like a symbolic reaffirmation of those deeper connections.
Dr. Sunil Mohanty, Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, formally inaugurated the two-day festival. In his address, Dr Mohanty reminded the gathering that cinema, especially in a culturally layered region like the Northeast, must be understood as more than an entertainment industry. He emphasised that films carry the potential to nurture nationalism, preserve civilisational wisdom, and mirror the lived realities of people. “Cinema has the power to shape consciousness,” he said, urging filmmakers to use the medium to challenge social discrimination, protect the environment, and reinforce civic and family values.
This year’s festival pays homage to figures who have shaped Assam’s artistic imagination across generations. The ongoing birth centenary celebration of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika lent a special emotional resonance to the event, while a tribute screening of Mon Jai honoured the inimitable Zubeen Garg. Celebrated flutist Deepak Sarma was also remembered, grounding the festival in the deep musical roots of the region.
Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, CNFF-25 showcases over 30 short films and documentaries—each a creative response to the theme ‘Our Heritage, Our Pride.’ The festival encourages young and emerging filmmakers of the Northeast to capture stories that are intimate yet universal, local yet linked to the broader narrative of India. The opening film, Aham Bhartam by Bharat Bala, set the tone for a cinematic journey centred on belonging, identity, and aspiration, while The First Film by Piyush Thakur has been selected to close the festival on 30 November.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated preview committee—comprising award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, and acclaimed cinematographer Hiten Thakuria—curated the festival’s diverse bouquet of films. Their selections reflect the vibrancy and multiplicity of voices emerging from the region.
The festival’s jury, featuring renowned filmmaker-writer Vijayakrishnan, national award-winning director Maipaksana Haorongbam, and sound designer Debajit Gayan, will confer awards on outstanding entries. Winners will receive trophies, certificates and cash prizes at the closing ceremony, which will be graced by Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, cultural stalwart Pranjal Saikia, and several leading personalities from the world of cinema.
More than a competition, CNFF-25 stands as a reminder of how cinema in Assam and the Northeast continues to evolve as a people’s medium—carrying stories of struggle, hope, tradition, and transformation. At a time when narratives shape not just entertainment but identity, festivals like this offer a platform for reflection, dialogue, and the reaffirmation of shared values.
