GUWAHATI: Movie buffs in Guwahati are in for a treat as the eighth edition of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) is set to begin from December 14 to 17 at the iconic Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio.
Apart from film screenings, this year’s BVFF promises to be an enriching experience for attendees with a lineup of engaging activities.
Panel discussions, fireside chats, masterclasses, and a filmmaking workshop, in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, are among the highlights.
Festival Director Tanushree Hazarika, addressing the press, revealed that the BVFF received an overwhelming response, with over 200 entries vying for a spot in the festival’s lineup.
From these, 30 carefully selected films will be showcased during the event, representing a diverse array of cinematic talent.
“BVFF is a celebration of stories that ignite hearts and inspire minds. We aim to be a catalyst, fostering meaningful cinema, connecting diverse talents, and promoting the vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes of the Northeast,” stated Hazarika, highlighting the festival’s broader mission.
A groundbreaking announcement came with the news of BVFF partnering with Amazon Prime Video, providing filmmakers with an opportunity to pitch directly to the leading OTT platform.
Hazarika expressed optimism about this collaboration, stating, “This opportunity has the potential to redefine the landscape for independent filmmakers, empowering them and elevating the standards of filmmaking while opening doors within the industry.”
Od the 200 submissions, the festival received 120 films originating from the Northeast, showcasing the region’s rich cinematic tapestry.
Esteemed personalities such as Krishna DK, Prakash Jha, Tanuja Chandra, Leena Yadav, Adil Hussain, Ronnie Lahiri, Harshad Nalawade, Miransha Naik, Paban Haobam Kumar, Ketki Pandit, and Sanjay Bhutiani are expected to grace the event, according to BVFF Programming Director Pallavi Chumki Barua.
BVFF Technical Director Samujjal Kashyap highlighted the enhanced viewer experience, with the addition of an extra screen to significantly expand film screening capacity.
“This move aims to offer audiences a greater choice while creating a balanced platform for short films, feature films, and documentaries,” he said.