The first edition of Guwahati International Documentary, Short and Animation Film Festival (GIDSAFF) organised by Jyoti Chitraban in association with the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute (DBHRGFTI) with support from the Government of Assam at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra premises from 22nd to 24th Jan.
Altogether 115 films from 25 countries, including 17 documentaries in the international kaleidoscope section, 29 documentaries in the national kaleidoscope section, 23 short films in the international kaleidoscope section, 19 short films in the national kaleidoscope section, 12 animation films in the international kaleidoscope section and 14 animation films in the national kaleidoscope section will be screened at the festival.
GIDSAFF’s state in focus is Manipur from where five films are to be screened. The films include Ima Sabitri directed by Bobo Khuraijam, Theatre of the Earth directed by Oinam Doren, Haobam Paban Kumar’s Phum Shang, Sonia Nepram’s Bloody Phanek and Auto Driver directed by Meena Longjam.
In the homage section, the organisers have included three personalities from the State namely music director Sher Choudhury, filmmaker Altaf Mazid and Chandra Narayan Baruah. Their works Sound of Dying Colours, Rahashyar Bitchaku and Nature’s Chosen Domain will be screened.
In the retrospective section, the organiser have chosen internationally acclaimed Assamese filmmaker Gautam Bora and his works An Unending Expense, Sons of Abotani and Old Man River will be screened. In the competition section 15 short films have been included for the first edition of GIDSAFF.
As a part of the festival one masterclass on the topic ‘Blurring Borders of Fiction and Non fiction and two sessions of Open forum and topics ‘Non Fiction films and media- reality check’ and ‘Creating a Documentary Culture- reality check’ were also held.
The films from Nagaland featured in this festival were Kivini Shohe’s Oh My Soul and two short films, Story of a House by Sesino Yoshu and Sophy Lasuh and River Story by Yapangnaro Longkumer.