GUWAHATI, July 24 - Acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali, known for films like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kaal and Rockstar, participated in a panel discussion on the concluding day of the 4th Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) today. The session was moderated by filmmaker from Assam Roopa Barooah.
Asserting that he is more an audience than a filmmaker, Ali said, �I have made just six movies, but have watched countless ones. So, I am more of an audience than a filmmaker.�
The results of the BVFF Short Film Competition, 2016 were also declared today.
Romi Meitei of Manipur won the first prize for his movie Colours of Water. He received a prize money of Rs 50,000 and a scholarship of Rs 50,000 for training from Brahmaputra Foundation. Badeimon Kharshing and Badap K Lyngdoh of Meghalaya were adjudged the 1st runner-up for their film U Thlen. The prize money for the 1st runner-up was Rs 30,000 along with a scholarship of Rs 50,000. Manas Sagra of Assam was the 2nd runner-up for his flick Little Hearts. He received Rs 20,000 as prize money and a scholarship of Rs 50,000.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju attended the function as chief guest.
Rijiju also launched the Brahmaputra Foundation on the occasion. The Foundation will work on the three aspects of human resource development in North East India - education, skill and talent.
Veteran Assamese actress Jnanada Kakati received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was given away by Rijiju. Jnanada Kakati had ventured into the industry when a woman actor was unheard of and men played the female roles.
Speaking on the occasion, Rijiju described himself as a movie buff and said, �Filmmaking is the most potent tool of any nation. We have certain limitations in the North East, but we also have so many things to celebrate. North East India is one of the most mystic regions in the world. The government is always trying to keep the environment in the region peaceful so that filmmaking can prosper without any hindrance.�
A workshop on post-production was also organised during the day. It was attended by noted sound designer Amrit Pritam, Chinmoy Sarma and MR Mahapatra.
Nagamese short film on the LGBT community Oh My Soul directed by Kivini Shohe was screened at the festival, followed by Myna and Asterix, a short film for kids made by Local Kungfu director Kenny Basumatary.
The festival ended with the screening of Dooronir Nirola Poja directed by Dhruva J Bordoloi. The film is a story about a middle-class Assamese family.
On the second day of the three-day festival, renowned director Reema Kagti, production designer Vandana Kataria and screenwriter Ritesh Shah had participated in a panel discussion on the topic �Rise of Diversity in Bollywood: Chennai Express to Mary Kom�. The panellists acknowledged that Bollywood is finally catering to stories outside the Hindi heartland and reaching out to a larger audience.
The panel discussion moderated by Karma Paljor, business editor of CNN IBN, tackled the question whether Bollywood has become diverse over the years. In the second panel discussion of the day, well-known new age directors from the region like Pramathesh Krishang, Sonia Nepram, Wanphra K Diengdoh shared their views on the topic �New Age Cinema�. The session was moderated by Roopa Barooah.
Kagti, Kataria and Shah later interacted with aspiring filmmakers at a workshop on production.
