Japanese Film ‘Kintsugi’ Opens 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival in Guwahati

GUWAHATI, October 24, 2026 — Japanese film Kintsugi, directed by Noomen Noomen, opened the 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF) at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio in Kahilipara, Guwahati, on October 24.

The short feature explores the tragic story of a Japanese salaryman haunted by unresolved grief and childhood trauma, who eventually comes to terms with death and finds peace beyond life.

The two-day festival, organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, is showcasing 44 acclaimed documentaries and short films across competitive and non-competitive screening sections. The festival, themed ‘Our Heritage, Our Pride’, was inaugurated by National Award-winning filmmaker Dr Santwana Bardoloi.

A special screening of Bhupen da Uncut, directed by filmmaker Bobbeeta Sharma, is also scheduled as a tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on the occasion of his birth centenary. A festival souvenir titled Chalachitram, edited by senior cine journalist Hemchandra Doley, is also set to be released.

The preview committee, comprising award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, cinematographer Hiten Thakuria, sound engineer Dipak Dutta and singer Babita Sharma, selected the films for the festival.

A jury comprising artistes, critics and filmmakers has selected the winners in eight categories. The awardees will receive trophies, certificates and cash prizes in the presence of film personalities and cine-goers.

State Cabinet Minister Nilima Devi is scheduled to attend the valedictory function on the afternoon of October 25, alongside other dignitaries.

Uzbek filmmaker Asadbek Akmal Ogli’s short feature Present will close the festival. The film follows a group of young cancer patients who find temporary relief from their struggles after encountering a clown, before the experience leads to an unexpected transformation into a compassionate physician.

With film festivals taking place across India, CNFF joins a diverse national circuit that includes the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Jagran Film Festival, Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival, VIBGYOR International Film Festival, Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema and several other platforms dedicated to cinema and documentary filmmaking.

Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam secretary Kishor Shivam, CNFF president Nava Thakuria and secretary Bhagawat Pritam expressed hope that the festival would encourage emerging filmmakers to use cinema as a medium for social change, the empowerment of underprivileged communities and the promotion of patriotism across the subcontinent.