Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma said that the Gauhati Cine Club played a pivotal role in shaping his career as a filmmaker as he graced the inaugural session of the 18th International Guwahati Film Festival on Friday.
The five-day festival, currently underway in Guwahati, is showcasing a wide spectrum of regional, national and international cinema, featuring films from Germany, Russia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Vietnam, Brazil and Montenegro, along with Indian films in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bodo, Manipuri and Bengali.
The inaugural session, organised by the Gauhati Cine Club, was held at the Kanaklal Baruah Auditorium. Filmmaker Rajni Basumatary attended as Guest of Honour. The session was presided over by Tinnat Atifa in the presence of festival President Absar Hazarika and Secretary Madhurima Barua.
In his address, Aribam Syam Sharma underlined the importance of cinema clubs in nurturing a vibrant cinematic culture. He expressed deep gratitude to the Gauhati Cine Club, recalling that the organisation not only supported his creative journey but also published his book in the late 1980s, which was later adapted into a film. He fondly remembered his association with fellow filmmakers and film enthusiasts from the club, including late Assamese cinema stalwarts Bhabendra Nath Saikia and Jahnu Barua.
Rajni Basumatary lauded the organisers for sustaining a long-running film festival and for bringing critically acclaimed films to audiences in the region.
The guests paid tribute to cultural icons Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, dedicating this edition of the festival in their honour.
During the inaugural evening, the festival brochure compiled by Kushal Dutta and the annual publication Chitrachinta, edited by Garima Kalita and Miftauddin Ahmed, were formally released.
The classic Manipuri film Ishanou, directed by Aribam Syam Sharma, was screened as the inaugural film under the Retrospective segment. Two of his other acclaimed films, Imagi Ningthem and Sanab, are also scheduled for screening in the same segment.
The festival will also premiere Samparan, directed by Arup Manna. National Film Award-winning film Dinabandhoo, directed by Munin Barua, will be screened as a tribute to Zubeen Garg, who played the lead role and composed the music. Rajni Basumatary’s film Gorai Phakhri has been selected as the closing film of this edition.
All screenings are being held at the Kanaklal Baruah Auditorium. The festival will conclude on February 17.
