By Bobo Khuraijam
ITANAGAR, February 19: On the 3rd day of the on-going Film, Northeast film festival being held at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar, 9 feature films and 15 documentaries and short films were screened here today.
To initiate a healthy dialogue among the film fraternity of the Northeast ‘The Forum’ scheduled by the organiser of the festival went successfully with Manipuri film doyen Aribam Syam Sharma in the chair and budding film makers each from the 8 states as panellist.
Sunil Koijam, the Programming Director (Non-Competition), giving opening remark on the forum ‘Is there a cinema of the Northeast or a Cinema of 8 States’, dwelt on the idea of what essentially is ‘Northeast’.
Syam Sharma in is remark observed that ‘National films’ are meaningless without ‘Regional films’. “In National Film Awards there is a separate category called ‘National-Regional film’, which is an absurd idea. There is ambiguity with the meaning ‘Regional Film’ and I have protested against it in the past”, he said.
Syam Sharma continued, “There is a systemic loophole of bracketing out the independent film makers specially those who are working in this region called the Northeast. It is high time the film makers of the region realise the beauty of ‘Northeast melting pot’ and its unique people of Mongoloid features”.
He also opined that the filmmakers’ community of Northeast should have a common platform, such as an association which should facilitate exchanges of ideas and also help one another in promoting their films.
Moji Riba, Festival Director speaking to the IFP on the side line of the forum said he felt vindicated as an organiser. “The very idea of organising this festival is not just to screen films but to bring people together. A body for Northeast filmmaker is certainly a good idea. An also as a filmmaker, it has been a long felt need”, he said.
Tribeny Rai, a film maker from Sikkim, who is also an alumnus of Satyajit Ray Films & Television Institute, Kolkata speaking to IFP said in a way, Manipur and Assam are ahead in filmmaking scenario among the Northeastern States. “Sikkim is in a nascent state. At least filmmakers of Manipur have someone to look up to like Aribam sir. The idea of a common platform will certainly boost our morals and help in grooming ourselves to be a better filmmaker, a better person”, she said.
Producer of Manipuri feature film ‘Nungna Kappa Pakchade, Thouyangba and Thoungamba, whose film was screened today evening, commending the organiser for hosting such event also pointed out that a collective body of Northeast filmmakers is a must.
As part of the screening, Manipuri feature film ‘Palepham’ directed by Wanglen Khundongbam, was screened in the morning in ‘First Cut’ segment, which is under competition section.