GUWAHATI, Nov 7 - Filmmakers, both from Assam and outside, who took part in the third edition of the Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), are optimistic that the festival will have a long-term impact on development of a film culture in the State.
Speaking to The Assam Tribune, young filmmaker Jaicheng Jai Dohutia said that in the past three years GIFF has been playing a good role in educating the film audience. People have now started realising that cinema is also a movement and why it is called an art.
�Now people of Assam are starting to realise the depth of the film art. It has happened due to GIFF,� Jaicheng said.
Kolkata-based filmmaker Ranjan Ghosh said GIFF has come up with an enviable line-up. This will help in the intermingling of films, cultures and ideas between the North East and the rest of the subcontinent.
�I believe that GIFF, with the passion and professionalism of the organisers and the team that I have witnessed here, is going to be a very important international film festival in the near future,� Ghosh said.
Commenting on regional films, he said, �Regional cinema in India is gradually arriving at a stage where it can claim its rightful place on the global film map. Meaningful films are coming out of the East, more so from the North East along with Maharashtra and Gujarat. The South is there as usual.�
Another young filmmaker Arjunn Dutta said that film festivals like GIFF are like a melting pot where films from across the globe come together and form a great union, resulting in creative and cultural exchange.
�GIFF is just three years old but it doesn�t seem like it. The ambience, the selection of films and the overall aura of the festival are so proper and effective. I am sure it will grow by leaps and bounds,� he said.
Commenting on the regional films of India he asserted that the industry is growing gradually by breaking the boundaries and also getting proper exposure at significant festivals also across the globe.
Appreciating the scenic beauty of Assam, Arjunn informed that in future he would definitely shoot his films here.
Filmmaker Dhruva J Bordoloi sharing his experience with GIFF, said the impact of this festival is very high. It has been creating awareness about good films in the State, which will also help in developing the film industry of Assam.
Speaking to this correspondent, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban Pabitra Margherita said, �The GIFF has been highly successful with the registration of around 7000 delegates. This fest is playing a vital role in creating a community to understand what a good film is all about... Our aim is to create a hub of intelligent audience from among our new generation people.�
