First Guwahati Intertiol Film Festival concludes

GUWAHATI, Nov 2: “By successfully organising the First Guwahati Intertiol Film Festival, Assam has established itself as one of the best film festival venues in the Country”, stated tiol award winning film maker Adoor Gopalakrishn while delivering his speech as the Chief Guest during the Closing Ceremony of the 6-day long First Guwahati Intertiol Film Festival (GIFF) at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra on November 2, 2017. He stated that GIFF’s success owes credit to the sheer dedication, well-executed planning and efficient magement of all concerned. “All sections of the festival, such as Indian, Intertiol, regiol, retrospective and Master Classes were well taken care of”, he added.  In his speech Adoor Gopalakrishn stressed on establishing a permanent film festival complex in the State. He stated that a permanent film festival complex with 4 to 5 cinema halls of different sitting capacities will make it convenient for the delegates, film makers and cine lovers to enjoy and participate at the festival at one venue.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, Assam Minister for Cultural Affairs Department ba Kumar Doley stated, “Our efforts are well paid off as GIFF 2017 has received overwhelming response from both the delegates as well as the cine enthusiasts”. He stated that the festival has provided a solid platform for showcasing movies of varied genres, giving exposure to new film makers and also for exchange of views and experiences with the veterans from the field.

While attending the programme, Prasan Vithage, noted Sri Lankan Film Director and the Chairman of the Jury (Competition Section) stated that the tremendous success of the festival will go a long way to inspire the young film makers of the region to make good and more meaningful movies for 2018 edition of GIFF in the State. Sharing his experience, he added that the poetic beauty of some of the Assamese movies of the festival are second to no Indian and Intertiol movies. Vithage added, “It was really interesting to watch that some of the Assamese movies have very independent and confident woman characters, which is indeed a reflection of a progressive society”.

A. K. Bir, eminent film cinematographer also shared his experiences while shooting for Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.

Pabitra Margherita, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban delivered the welcome address and thanked all stakeholders for making the festival a grand success. Monita Borgohain, Director of GIFF also expressed gratitude to all concerned on the successful culmition of the festival.

The Closing Ceremony was also attended by VB Pyarelal, Additiol Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam; Pritam Saikia, Commissioner and Secretary, Cultural Affairs Department; B. Lenin and Sanjib Sabhapandit , Jury Members, besides a host of other dignitaries.

Minister ba Kumar Doley and noted filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishn gave away the Best Assamese Film Award to “Grief on a Sunday Morning” by Sankar Baruah;  Second Best Assamese Film Award to Antardrishti (Man with the Binocular) by Rima Das; and Special Jury Award to Jaicheng Jai Douhutia for Haanduk (The Hidden Corner).

GIFF 2017 was organised by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regiol Government Film and Television Institute with the support from the Cultural Affairs Department, Assam, a press release said.