Guwahati: Haobam Paban Kumar’s film Joseph’s Son won the Best Film award at the inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025, which concluded on Sunday evening.
The closing ceremony was held just before the screening of My Melbourne, a collaborative project by directors Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, Onir, and Kabir Khan.
The festival, which took place from February 7 to 9 at the Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio in Guwahati, saw a vibrant turnout of filmmakers, film lovers, and industry professionals.
Notable participants included internationally renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, Indian actor Sheeba Chaddha, and filmmaker Onir, who engaged in thought-provoking discussions over the course of the three-day event.
One of the most engaging sessions was a conversation led by Onir, who discussed the role of cinema in reflecting society, the representation of LGBTQ+ narratives in films, and the challenges of activism in the industry.
Speaking with journalist Mrinal Talukdar, Onir shared his personal experiences as an openly gay filmmaker, explaining the difficulties he faced in dealing with societal pressures and navigating censorship while producing films that address LGBTQ+ themes, despite his success in the industry.
The festival also dedicated a special competitive section exclusively for films from Northeast India, which celebrated the region’s unique cinematic voices and storytelling.
Six films from the region competed for awards in various categories, highlighting the growing talent and diversity within Northeast India’s film industry.
In addition to the Best Film award for Joseph’s Son, the Best Director award went to Shrutismriti Changkakoti for her film Before Spring.
Rewben Mashangva won the Best Music award for Joseph’s Son, while Amardeep Gogoi received the Best Screenplay award for Collage.
The Best Editing award was presented to Rantu Chetia for Ata Nirjon Duporiya, and Best Performance went to Deepjyoti Kakati for Before Spring.
Kalesh Laxman and Bambi were honored with the Best Sound Design award for Before Spring, and Jayanth Mathavan received the Best Cinematography award for the same film.
The festival also gave special mention awards, with Minakshi Kalita recognised for her performance in Amateurs and Nahid Ahmed for his cinematography in Collage.
Reflecting on the success of GAFF 2025, Monita Borgohain, the Honorary Festival Director, expressed her gratitude and excitement.
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“It has been wonderful to witness the energy, passion, and enthusiasm for cinema from so many film lovers. The festival was not just about films but also about creating a space for cultural exchange that transcends borders. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event a meaningful experience, and we are already looking forward to an even bigger edition next year.”
GAFF 2025, organised by Trending Now Media and supported by GMDA, was made possible with the backing of various partners, including Indian Oil, NRL, Oil India Limited, Assam Tourism, Bodoland Tourism, Sony, Nikon, and others.
The festival showcased a dynamic selection of 25 feature films from more than 200 submissions across Asia, offering a valuable platform for artistic dialogue and cultural exchange.
Films were presented from countries such as Iran, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
