‘Gaach Pathar’ and ‘The Redemption’ win top honours in the Rest of India section
GUWAHATI: The 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF 2026) concluded at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio in Kahilipara, Guwahati, with Toy Gun, directed by Parashuram Thingnam of Manipur, and The Silent Crisis, directed by Smitakshi Baruah Goswami of Assam, winning the Best Short Feature and Best Documentary awards, respectively, in the Northeast India section.
In the Rest of India section, Gaach Pathar, directed by Somnath Bag, won the Best Short Feature award, while The Redemption, directed by Harikishan M. V., received the Best Documentary award.
The closing ceremony, held on October 25, was attended by state minister Nilima Devi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Asom Kshetra prachar pramukh Dr Sunil Mohanty.
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Among the other award winners, Sumi Saikia received the Best Director award for In 9 Months, while Shiddhartha Sharma won the Best Screenplay award for Ankur. Rupamjyoti Saikia received the Best Cinematographer award for The Khamyang Story, and Ambarish Borkotoki won the Best Editor award for Ananta Jatra. Take Away, directed by Nithan, received a Special Mention from the jury.
The festival opened on October 24 with the screening of Kintsugi, a Japanese film directed by Noomen Noomen. The film portrays the tragic journey of a young professional haunted by unresolved grief and childhood trauma, who eventually comes to terms with death and finds peace beyond life.
The two-day festival showcased 44 documentaries and short feature films across competitive and non-competitive screening sections. It concluded with the screening of Present, directed by Uzbek filmmaker Asadbek Akmal Ogli. The film follows young cancer patients who find temporary joy in the company of a clown before the story takes a tragic turn and unfolds an unexpected revelation.
Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, the festival was held under the central theme “Our Heritage, Our Pride”. It was inaugurated by Dr Santwana Bardoloi, a National Award-winning film director.
A festival souvenir titled Chalachitram, edited by senior cine journalist Hemchandra Doley, was released by Vidyasagar, chairman of the Jyoti Chitraban Film Society, during the inaugural ceremony.
The festival also featured a special tribute screening of Bhupen Da Uncut, directed by noted filmmaker Bobbeeta Sharma, to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Members of the preview committee, including Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, Bibhu Dutta, Hiten Thakuria, Dipak Dutta and Babita Sharma, were introduced to the audience, along with jury members Vishnu Sarma of Delhi, Sujit Debbarma of Tripura and Ramen Bora of Assam. Volunteers associated with Chalachitram were also acknowledged for their contributions.
On behalf of the organising committee, VSK Assam secretary Kishor Shivam, CNFF president Nava Thakuria and secretary Bhagawat Pritam expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the festival’s success.
They expressed hope that Chalachitram would continue to encourage emerging filmmakers to use cinema as a medium to empower underprivileged communities, preserve cultural heritage and foster patriotism.
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