GUWAHATI, Nov 5 - The short film titled Perception was adjudged the best film at the second Saraighat Film Festival held here. The film was produced and made by the students of Dibrugarh University under the banner of Niyor Productions.
In the festival held at Bosco Out Reach, Ulubari and organised by the North East Youth Foundation (NEYF) and supported by North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), a total of 10 films were screened, out of which 9 were in the competition.
The films were judged by noted film and television personality Tinat Atifa Masood and filmmaker Vijay Naidu. The viewers� choice award went to We, which was made by the students of B Borooah College.
Apart from different schools, colleges and institutions of Guwahati, there were participants from Shillong-based English and Foreign Language University. Organised since last year, the festival is also an effort of NEYF to express its solidarity with Irom Sharmila�s stand against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. She has been on fast since November 2, 2000 urging the government to repeal the Act.
The festival also featured a signature campaign initiated by NEYF. Titled �Repeal AFSPA for vibrant democracy�, the signature campaign was carried out across the capital city.
�During the campaign we found out that youngsters today are unaware of Sharmila, AFSPA or her demand for repealing it,� said Ranjan K Baruah, convenor of NEYF, adding that the film festival is an attempt to chain together more and more youths and the young minds.
�Through this platform today, we want to put forward certain demands in front of the government. We demand that the AFSPA should be repealed soon, the MPs of Assam and North East should raise the question of repealing AFSPA at the next session of Parliament and lastly, no civilian should be harassed, killed or persecuted under AFSPA,� said Baruah.
Tinat Atifa Masood, said, �I am happy to see the number of entries this year. Although there is a lot to improve as per the quality of filmmaking is concerned, the efforts of these young people should be appreciated for they have come up with such different and vibrant ideas.�
Vijay Naidu said, �It was good to see so many young people coming up with different ideas and touching so many delicate issues of society.�
