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[ Nyatum Doke ]<\/strong><\/p>\n \n As soon as I received an invitation from the IPR director to attend the Arunachal Film Festival (AFF), I was filled with pure joy and elation. As a film enthusiast, I had long hoped to experience the AFF, and this would be my first time. I left Tezu on the morning of 5 February, reserving my excitement, and arrived in Itanagar by late afternoon. Too tired to attend any events that day, I decided to rest in anticipation of the next day\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n The following morning, out of excitement I went to the venue at 12 noon, even though I knew that the inaugural was at 3 pm. The exterior of TNZ Cinema was beautifully adorned with flyers and hoardings, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Inside, I saw IPR Secretary Nyali Ete and nodal officer Dugyir Padu strolling attentively, cross-checking the final arrangements for the programme. I joined them and learned that I was assigned to manage Screen 3 \u2014 an important responsibility. After glancing through the schedule, I realised I would only be able to watch three films over the next three days, with the rest of my time dedicated to workshops.<\/p>\n The inaugural event began with lighting of the candles by the delegates led by Education Minister PD Sona, followed by the screening of\u00a0Numb and Map-Al (The Salt). I was deeply impressed by the raw talent of Arunachal\u2019s filmmakers, and the positive energy of the day left me excited for the upcoming sessions.<\/p>\n The next day, I attended a workshop on film editing by Nitin Baid, known for his work on films like\u00a0Gully Boy and\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mashan. Initially disappointed by the low turnout, I told my colleagues inside that \u201cworkshops aren\u2019t for everyone; even a single serious person would be equivalent to 10 non-persons.\u201d Soon enough, more attendees arrived, and the hall was nearly full. The next workshop, led by Kenny Basumatary, the director of the Assamese film\u00a0Local Kung Fu, was an eye opener. He demonstrated how, with commitment, filmmakers can create impressive movies even on a low budget. The enthusiasm and participation of the audience highlighted the growing interest in filmmaking in Arunachal.<\/p>\n The third day followed a similar rhythm of screenings of movies\/documentaries and workshops. A standout moment was\u00a0Changes, an animation by Down Mountain Studio, which earned a special jury mention. It was the first of its kind in the state, and the animation workshop by Toonz Media Group further deepened my appreciation and understanding of animation. Another notable session was by Raktim Mondol, a professor at the Film and Television Institute (FTI), Jote, who focused on the art of cinematography. His insights into lighting, composition, and the cinematographer\u2019s role in storytelling were incredibly enlightening.<\/p>\n The festival also provided much-needed recognition for local filmmakers.\u00a0Grandpa, What\u2019s Your Name\u00a0by Lobsang Phuntso won the best documentary award, while\u00a0Our Land, Our Lives\u00a0by T Hasa received a special mention. In the short film category,\u00a0Mok Mu by Anandra Namchoom took home the best short film award, with\u00a0Change\u00a0by Down Mountain Studio receiving a special mention. Films like\u00a0Khew Ranai by Ria Taipodia,\u00a0Seeds of The Future\u00a0by Jaring Loham, and\u00a0Ihi Hang\u00a0by Akom Emma Don captivated the audiences with their excellent work, showcasing the immense talent of filmmakers and actors in Arunachal.<\/p>\n The AFF was not just a celebration of films but a festival of learning, a platform for aspiring filmmakers, and a catalyst for positive change by sparking and encouraging a discourse on different views and opinions related to challenges and opportunities in the film industry in the state. The workshops provided valuable opportunities to interact with industry professionals. Discussions on funding, distribution, and marketing in the film industry were equally crucial and thought-provoking.<\/p>\n Although I couldn\u2019t watch most of the films due to my commitment at Screen 3, the overall experience was overwhelming. One fellow movie lover remarked how special it was to watch films in a hall filled with passionate enthusiasts, comparing it to \u201c100 people singing a symphony in perfect harmony\u201d- a sentiment that perfectly captured the festival\u2019s essence.<\/p>\n In a state like Arunachal Pradesh, where the film industry is still in its early stages but holds immense potential, festivals like the AFF are vital. As IPR Minister Nyato Dukam said, such events are key to sparking conversations around filmmaking and film industry. While some sceptics may question the value of such festivals, the mere fact that they ignite discussions proves their significance.<\/p>\n Additionally, IPR Secretary Nyali Ete\u2019s mention of the AVGC-XR policy being discussed is a promising development for animation lovers and filmmakers. As informed by the IPR minister, the upcoming Film and Technical Institute of Arunachal Pradesh will undoubtedly provide vital resources and training for aspiring filmmakers, photographers, and technical professionals.<\/p>\n As the festival concluded, I began my journey back to Tezu, reflecting on the future of filmmaking in Arunachal. Though I\u2019m a layman in filmmaking, the festival sparked a curiosity within me to learn more. I\u2019m sure it had the same effect on many others. The AFF-2025 has left a lasting impression, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to shape the state\u2019s creative industry. (Nyatum Doke is DIPRO, Lohit.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [ Nyatum Doke ] As soon as I received an invitation from the IPR director to attend the Arunachal Film Festival (AFF), I was filled with pure joy and elation. As a film enthusiast, I had long hoped to experience the AFF, and this would be my first time. I left Tezu on the morning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-258760","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-state-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=258760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=258760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=258760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}