Itanagar: The Arunachal Film Festival (AFF) 2025 wrapped up on Saturday a successful three-day celebration of film, creativity, and emerging local talent.
The festival, which commenced on Thursday, provided a vital platform for showcasing the evolving film industry in Arunachal Pradesh, with a focus on local filmmakers, technical expertise, and animation talent.
Gracing the event, State’s IPR Minister Nyato Dukam commended the Information and Public Relations Department for successfully organizing the event and recognized the perseverance and creativity of local filmmakers, despite the many challenges they face.
“The film industry in Arunachal Pradesh is still in its infancy, but there is a lot of promise. The future is undoubtedly bright,” said Minister Dukam. He emphasized that challenges such as the lack of a common language hinder the ability to reach a broad audience. He urged the IPR Department to devise solutions to these issues, calling for initiatives that would strengthen the state’s film industry and make it more vibrant.
The Minister disclosed that the Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Arunachal Pradesh would soon be commissioned, providing vital resources and training to aspiring filmmakers, photographers, and technical professionals.
He urged that collective efforts must be made to overcome the logistical hurdles faced by filmmakers, including funding and distribution challenges, to elevate the industry and make Arunachal Pradesh a prominent player in India’s film landscape.
IPR Secretary Nyali Ete highlighted the festival’s success, noting the growing interest in local filmmaking as a positive sign for the state’s future film culture. He also elaborated on the department’s ongoing efforts to support budding filmmakers through initiatives like the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy, recently introduced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Ete also acknowledged the significant hurdles faced by filmmakers, including limited finances, equipment, and distribution networks. He emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable ecosystem to help filmmakers succeed.
He said that the FTI would offer specialized courses and workshops, providing valuable skills and knowledge to local youth eager to join the industry. He further assured filmmakers that the IPR Dept is fully committed to helping them by providing platforms like AFF for showcasing their work and fostering industry growth.
The final day of the festival featured an array of screenings, workshops, and engaging sessions. Documentaries such as “Grandpa What’s Your Name”, “Khew Ranei”, and “Seeds of the Future” were screened, offering audiences a powerful glimpse into real-life stories.
The short film category saw standout entries like “Mok Mu”, “Changes”, and “When Will the Moon Bloom Again?” captivating viewers with their engaging narratives. A special highlight of the festival was the “In Conversation with Chum” session, where the acclaimed actress shared her journey from Northeast India to Bollywood, inspiring the audience with her experiences.
Two insightful workshops also drew large audiences. Raktim Mondal, a professor at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), conducted a session titled “The Art of Cinematography”. Mondal spoke on the vital role cinematography plays in storytelling, emphasizing the importance of lighting, composition, and a deep understanding of the script. He shared his expertise on cinematography across different genres, including commercials, documentaries, and fiction films, providing attendees with a well-rounded understanding of the art form.
At the concluding ceremony, awards were presented to the standout films.
“Grandpa What’s Your Name”, directed by Lobsang Phuntso, won the Best Documentary award, while “Our Land Our Lives”, by T Hasa, received a Special Mention Award in the documentary category.
In the short film category, “Mok Mu”, directed by Chau Anandra Namchoom, won the Best Short Film award, with “Change”, produced by Down Mountain Studio, receiving a Special Mention Award.
Source: UNI
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