Film festival returns to Guwahati with focus on heritage and northeast voices
Guwahati will host the 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival on October 24 and 25 at the Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara, organisers reported. The two-day event will screen a total of 45 short films and documentaries across competitive and non-competitive sections, with an emphasis on cultural history, traditional practices and storytelling from across India, particularly eastern and northeastern regions.
Organised by Chalachitram, an initiative linked to the Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK), Assam, the festival carries the theme "Our Heritage, Our Pride". The programme is designed to highlight films that engage with history, civilisation, cultural diversity, indigenous communities and regional traditions that often remain under-represented in mainstream cinema.
"Our Heritage, Our Pride" is the guiding theme for this year's festival, focusing on films that explore the country's cultural traditions and historical narratives.
National Award-winning filmmaker Dr Santwana Bardoloi is scheduled to inaugurate the festival on the Saturday morning of October 24, according to event materials. The organisers expect the festival to provide a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to present work and interact with audiences in Guwahati.
Selection and jury
A preview committee selected the films for screening. The committee includes award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, cinematographer Hiten Thakuria, sound engineer Dipak Dutta and singer Babita Sharma. A separate jury composed of filmmakers, artists and critics will adjudicate the competitive sections and determine winners.
The festival traces its roots to the Guwahati Film Festival founded in 2017 and was renamed Chalachitram National Film Festival in 2019. Over the years it has sought to foster cinematic works that connect traditional cultural narratives with contemporary cinematic expression, working under the mentorship of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna, organisers said.
Focus areas and local significance
Programme themes extend beyond history and heritage to include subjects such as indigenous cultures, the freedom movement, mythology, national integration, traditional arts, women’s empowerment, environmental conservation and social reform. Organisers emphasise short films and documentaries as effective vehicles for bringing lesser-known stories—especially those of local communities and cultural identities—to larger audiences.
- Dates: 24–25 October
- Venue: Jyoti Chitraban, Kahilipara, Guwahati
- Films: 45 short films and documentaries (competitive and non-competitive)
- Inaugurator: Dr Santwana Bardoloi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Edition | 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival |
| Organiser | Chalachitram (Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam) |
| Selection panel | Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, Bibhu Dutta, Hiten Thakuria, Dipak Dutta, Babita Sharma |
For Guwahati, a city straddling the Brahmaputra and serving as a cultural hub for Assam and the wider northeast, the festival presents an opportunity for local audiences to engage with cinematic works rooted in the region’s histories and identities. The emphasis on short-format films may also attract young filmmakers and students from nearby institutions to attend screenings and discussions.
Organisers noted the festival’s longstanding aim to nurture filmmaking that bridges traditional narratives with contemporary forms. By concentrating on themes relevant to society and region—environment, cultural rights, gender and community resilience—the festival intends to broaden conversations in public fora and create visibility for stories that receive limited attention elsewhere.
Screening schedules, ticketing details and the list of films have been curated by the festival team and will be available at the venue in Kahilipara. Filmmakers, critics and cinema enthusiasts are expected to converge on Jyoti Chitraban over the two days for screenings, panel interactions and peer conversations.
