Guwahati: The 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF) will unfold a package of over 45 selected short duration films at Jyoti Chitraban film society premises in Kahilipara. The two-day festival (24 and 25 October 2026), will greet film buffs, cine critics and movie producer-directors of eastern India for an unique opportunity to encounter film-works, dedicated to fostering nationalism and paying homage to Bharat’s thousands years old civilization, culture and heritage. Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra- Assam, the unique film festival will honour the selected entries with trophies, certificates, and cash prizes in the presence of distinguished film personalities and cine-goers.
The distinctive film-fest under the mentorship of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna was initially launched as Guwahati Film Festival in 2017 and it was renamed in 2019 with the central theme of ‘Our Heritage Our Pride’ which encompasses various issues like Indian heritage, indigenous society, heroes of the freedom movement, epics & mythology, national integration & solidarity, arts & artisans, Yoga-meditation-Ayurveda, manuscripts & paintings, tradition and family values, cultural nationalism, women empowerment, environment, land & people, tourism, arts, handicrafts & textiles, wood carving, manuscript & manuscript paintings, painting & woodcarving, music and musicians, indigenous festivals, traditional sports, monuments & heritage sites, social reformers & pioneers, tea and oil industries, etc.
On the eve of the festival, a film screening program was organized at Nirmal Haloi College in Patacharkuchi of Bajali district recently, where a number of award winning short features and documentaries, selected from the last year’s package, were shown to the students. Dr Kaushik Kr Deka, principal of NH College along with many teachers and Barama College’s former principal Dr Tiken Das graced the occasion. NH College cine club convener Rajen Das coordinated the program. On behalf of CNFF-2026, Bibhu Dutta, an award winning documentary filmmaker, Deepak Dutta, retired sound engineer of Jyoti Chitraban film studio, Dhrubajyoti Deka, CNFF assistant secretary, etc were present on the occasion. Another screening event is scheduled for Nalbari College on 3 October next.
The country today witnesses a number of intriguing national film festivals across the country in different time slots. Thus the CNFF has joined the elite clubs comprising MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Great Indian Film and Literature Festival, Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival, Alpavirama South Asian Short & Documentary Film-fest, Bangalore Queer Film-fest, Brahmaputra Valley Film-fest, Cinemela Film-fest, Flashpoint Human Rights Film-fest, Golden Jury Film-fest, Hyderabad Bengali Film-fest, Indogma Film-fest, Jagran Film-fest, Jeevika Film-fest, Kalakari Film-fest, Madhubani Film-fest, New Delhi Film-fest, National Science Film-fest, Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema, Patna Film-fest, Rajasthan Film-fest, Tigerland India Film-fest, Verite Film-fest, Vibgyor Film-fest, etc.
A jury board consisting of artistes, critics, film-makers, writers and other professionals will select the award winning films, where six awards will be presented in North East India category including best short feature, best documentary, best director, screenplay, cinematography and editing. Two awards are kept for the Rest of India category comprising best short feature and best documentary. On behalf of the organizing committee, VSK Assam secretary Kishor Shivam, CNFF-2026 president Nava Thakuria and secretary Bhagawat Pritam, hope that the film festival would go a long way to encourage the budding filmmakers in engaging the medium for social changes across the sub-continent empowering the underprivileged section and creating a sense of patriotism among everyone.
CNFF-2026 to kick off on 24 October
