CNFF-2026 to Showcase 45-Plus Films in Guwahati from Oct 24
The 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival will celebrate India’s heritage, culture and civilisation through short films and documentaries.
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 11th Oct: The 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF-2026) will be held on October 24 and 25 at the Jyoti Chitraban film society premises in Kahilipara, Guwahati, featuring more than 45 selected short films and documentaries.
The two-day festival is expected to bring together film enthusiasts, critics and filmmakers from eastern India. Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam, the event aims to promote filmmaking centred on Indian nationalism, civilisation, cultural heritage and traditions.
Initially launched as the Guwahati Film Festival in 2017, the event was renamed the Chalachitram National Film Festival in 2019. Its central theme, “Our Heritage, Our Pride,” covers a broad range of subjects, including indigenous communities, freedom movement heroes, Indian epics and mythology, national integration, traditional arts, women’s empowerment, environmental issues, tourism, family values and cultural traditions.
The festival operates under the mentorship of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna. Selected filmmakers will receive trophies, certificates and cash prizes at the event in the presence of film personalities and cinema enthusiasts.
Eight Awards Across Two Categories
A jury comprising artistes, critics, filmmakers, writers and other professionals will select the award-winning entries.
Six awards will be presented in the Northeast India category: Best Short Feature, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. Two awards—Best Short Feature and Best Documentary—will be presented in the Rest of India category.
The organisers said the festival seeks to encourage emerging filmmakers to use cinema as a medium for social change, empowerment of underprivileged communities and the promotion of patriotism.
Outreach Screenings Ahead of the Festival
As part of its outreach activities, CNFF recently organised a screening at Nirmal Haloi College in Patacharkuchi, Bajali district. Students watched award-winning short features and documentaries selected from the previous year’s festival.
The programme was attended by college principal Dr Kaushik Kumar Deka, former Barama College principal Dr Tiken Das, teachers and other guests. Rajen Das, convener of the college’s cine club, coordinated the event. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, retired Jyoti Chitraban sound engineer Deepak Dutta and CNFF assistant secretary Dhrubajyoti Deka were also present.
The organisers had announced another screening at Nalbari College for October 3 as part of the run-up to the festival.
Kishor Shivam, secretary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam, along with CNFF-2026 president Nava Thakuria and secretary Bhagawat Pritam, expressed hope that the festival would provide a platform for budding filmmakers and encourage socially relevant storytelling.
