Guwahati, Nov 30 (V7N) – The 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF-25) began on 29 November at the Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio premises in Kahilipara, marking the start of a two-day celebration of cinema rooted in Indian heritage and northeastern cultural identity. The festival was inaugurated by Dr Sunil Mohanty, Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who lit the ceremonial lamp before portraits of Bharat Mata and three iconic Assamese cultural figures—Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, singer-actor Zubeen Garg, and flutist Deepak Sarma. As a tribute to Zubeen Garg, the festival opened with a special screening of the acclaimed film Mon Jai.

Addressing the audience, Dr Mohanty said cinema should not be viewed solely as a commercial or entertainment medium but as a powerful instrument for promoting nationalism and honoring India’s thousands-year-old civilizational heritage. He praised Chalachitram’s initiative to encourage short films under the theme Our Heritage, Our Pride, emphasizing that such platforms strengthen public awareness against social discrimination, help safeguard the environment, and reinforce civic responsibility and family values.

Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, this year’s edition will showcase more than 30 short films and documentaries across competitive and non-competitive sections. The competitive category is reserved for filmmakers from the northeastern region. The festival opened with Aham Bhartam, directed by Bharat Bala, while Piyush Thakur’s The First Film has been selected to close the event on 30 November. CNFF secretary Bhagawat Pritam stated that the preview committee—comprising award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, and cinematographer Hiten Thakuria—reviewed and finalized the selected entries for screening.

A jury panel featuring renowned filmmaker and critic Vijayakrishnan, National Award-winning director Maipaksana Haorongbam, and leading sound designer Debajit Gayan has evaluated the films for awards to be announced during the closing ceremony. Winners will receive trophies, certificates, and cash prizes in the presence of Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, cultural icon Pranjal Saikia, and other distinguished film personalities and attendees, according to VSK Assam secretary Kishor Shivam.

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