Kohima: The Nagaland CineFest 2025 kicked off on Friday at The Heritage in Kohima, featuring a diverse selection of films showcasing both local and national talent.
The festival was inaugurated by the adviser to Nagaland chief minister and Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland chairman, Abu Metha.
The festival is being organised by Nagaland’s Information and Public Relations Department, in association with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation of India, on the theme “Celebrating Stories, Inspiring Minds.”
Gracing the event as chief guest, Metha said filmmaking is a profession which shows the best of human mind.
He added that filmmakers document today’s stories and yesterday’s experiences, leaving behind gifts for future generations.
The first day of the festival featured masterclasses on the evolution of film editing: cinema to digital age — a historical journey through editing techniques innovations by Moses Mark, Singapore, and ‘Nagaland, New Horizons’ by Bendang Walling.
Another highlight of the day was CineConnect — a conversation with Bendang Walling, LC Sekhose, Khrievilie Suohumvü, Kikru Neikha and Mr Smile.
Films such as Eleison (Have Mercy), directed by Raymond Colney (Mizoram), Chanchisoa (Expectation), directed by Elvachisa Sangma (Meghalaya), and Paper Airplanes, directed by Moses Marks (Singapore), were screened on the first day of the festival.
Metha stressed the need to tell the stories and aspirations of the Naga people through a new narrative.
“Our stories have to be told through films, documentaries, songs, dances etc.,” he said.
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Kusa Fithu, Joint secretary of information and public relations, hoped the festival will not only entertain but will also help educate and inspire emerging and aspiring filmmakers, actors, producers and film enthusiasts to showcase their work, engage in discussions and celebrate the art of filmmaking.
