First Northeast India International Film Festival 2022 was held at Dimapur, Nagaland

First Northeast India International Film Festival 2022 was held at Dimapur, Nagaland

The two-day first Northeast India International Film Festival (NIIFF) concluded successfully on 13th Dec ‘2022 at Niathu Resort, Chümoukdeima, Nagaland.

The festival was on December 12 and 13, under the theme, “Promote the Northeast region as a Potential Filmmaking Destination and open the doors to a broader audience for filmmaking in Northeast India”.

NIIFF Film Festival was organized by Find Studioz, in association with Sushma Production, and sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India, and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Mr. Ravinder Bhakar, M.D. National Film Development Corporation Ltd. (N.F.D.C.) and Mr. Md Zahid Sharif, Under Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India were present on the occasion and gave their full support to the organizers as well as the participants.

The Festival was inaugurated on 12th Dec’2022 in the presence of Special Guest Shri. Robin Sharma, D.G.P. Nagaland, and Shri. C.Apok Jamir, Former M.P.
Mr. Mohas Das (Chairman, NIIFF ), Ms. Rebecca Changkija Sema (Festival Director, NIIFF), Mr. Shiraz Henry (Joint Director, NIIFF), Mr. Saajan Verma “Sanjay” (Festival Coordinator, NIIFF) were an integral part of the Festival Committee. Ms. Linda Newmai, Ms. Sushma Gurund, and Ms. Jutikaa Mahanta gave their full support to NIIFF.

Moviemakers from all over India came for the film festival, and NIIFF received a good response in terms of participation in movies.

NIIFF saw the submission of more than 150 movies not only from India but from abroad also. The film Festivals saw a tremendous response from the northeastern states, Filmmakers from Manipur, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and other northeastern states were present in this two-day festival.

Mr. Ravinder Bhakar, M.D., N.F.D.C. inspired the filmmakers from Northeast India by briefing them up about N.F.D.C. policies and programs. He also encouraged the participants and filmmakers to make films and organize such events in Northeast India.

Addressing a gathering at the commencing of the program of the festival, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Md Zahid Sharif, who was on an official tour expressed happiness stating that regional cinemas were staggeringly picking up their pace due to their unique rawness, storylines, plots, and above all livery of life.

Sharif stated that the ministry was thinking of hosting North East Film Festival in different cities across the country, with a view to showcasing the best of North East traditions, cultures, and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes to people in different parts of the country, who were yet to see them and hence not acquainted with North Eastern part of the country.

Sharif further maintained that the Ministry was looking in to provide support for documentary films from North East region, provide nominal aid for filmmakers of North East region whose scripts might have the prospect to enhance cultural/traditional impact in the country and abroad, and also increase the tourism potential of Region, and might also serve as educative material about the region and its people.