Guwahati: The third edition of the Northeast International Documentary & Film Festival (NIDFF) will be held on December 13 at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio in Guwahati.
Originally launched in Dibrugarh and previously organised by RedCardinal Motion Pictures, the festival is expanding this year through a partnership with Akhara Ghar Cine Society (AGCS) in honour of the late musician and cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
Positioned as a global platform linking regional and international cinema, NIDFF aims to showcase diverse storytelling while strengthening the identity of filmmaking in Northeast India.
The festival has received entries from 15 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, Germany and Australia. Out of 162 submissions, an international jury has shortlisted 40 films for the final nominations.
Along with international participation, the festival will feature a wide lineup of regional films representing Assamese, Khasi, Oriya, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Rajasthani, Gujarati and Punjabi filmmaking traditions.
The day-long event will begin with the Bhupen Zubeen Quiz celebrating the legacies of Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, after which 11 short films and documentaries will be screened. The programme will also include panel discussions with industry professionals.
Awards will be conferred across several categories, including Best Short Film, Best Feature Film, Best Short Documentary, Best Feature Documentary, Best Northeast India Special Award, Best Director, Best Actor (Male and Female), Best Director of Photography, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, and Best Sound Design.
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Festival director Saurav Dutta and executive director Mridupawan Bora said the event aims to elevate regional talent and promote socially relevant cinema. Describing NIDFF as “a vital bridge” for emerging creators, they noted that the festival celebrates stories rooted in heritage and human experience.
