Footprints on Water, director Nathalia Syam’s critically acclaimed film, was awarded the Best Feature Film at the eighth edition of Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) which concluded at Jyoti Chitraban in Assam capital city Guwahati recently.
The film, starring Adil Hussain of English Vinglish fame, is about an underground community of illegal immigrants, who yearn for a better life in United Kingdom.
Regardless of the initial promise, protagonist Raghu and his family grapple with shared accommodations, illicit visas, and meager wages. Raghu, entangled in debt, compromises his values working for a fraudulent solicitor, leading to a groom being chosen for his daughter Meera.
Meanwhile, the day commenced with a sombre condolence prayer dedicated to the memory of late veteran actor Jayanta Das, who left for heavenly abode on the night of December 16.
Reflecting on this loss, founder and festival director Tanushree Hazarika expressed, “Today is a mournful day for all of us, as we bid farewell to the region’s beloved Jayanta Das. His indelible contributions to Assamese cinema and his unwavering dedication will be fondly remembered by fans and well-wishers.”
The final day of the festival was brimming with captivating cinematic showcases, enlightening masterclasses, and engaging discussions that listed the festival’s commitment to encouraging cinematic excellence and fostering meaningful dialogue within the film community.
An enthralling Cinematic Showcase, featuring Harshad Nalawade’s thought-provoking film Follower, set the tone for the day.
Following this was the screening of director Haobam Paban Kumar’s impactful feature film Nine Hills One Valley, which captivated the audience with its compelling narrative.
Renowned filmmaker Prakash Jha, an esteemed figure in the Indian film industry, graced the festival with his presence and led a masterclass session, providing cinema enthusiasts with invaluable insights into the craft of filmmaking.
Later, he got engaged in a stimulating discussion on Exploring Sociopolitical Narratives and Filmmaking Craft with BVFF founder and festival director Tanushree Hazarika.
In the evening, a riveting discussion on Crafting Authentic Narratives unfolded, featuring esteemed panelists Adil Hussain and Nathalia Syam, moderated by Asha Kuthari Chaudhuri.
The insightful conversation was followed by the screening of Footprints on Water, offering audiences a profound cinematic experience.
The festival showcased documentary film Ladakh 470 by director Shivam Singh Rajput, based on the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2022 run by Sufiya Sufi Runner.
BVFF Awards Ceremony
The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon veteran actress Mridula Baruah. She is known for her diverse roles in films like Marami (1978), Upapath (1980), Bowari (1982), Koka Deuta Nati Aru Hati (1983), Abartan (1993), Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000), Barood (2004), Gun Gun Gaane Gaane (2002), Raghav (2023) and many others.
The Best Director for Feature Film award went to Manoj Shinde for his Marathi language feature film Valli.
The film is about a Goa farmer, who was served a punishment for beating up a fellow villager. It essays the story of Mattu, who had to deal with social humiliation and a financial burden.
The Best Short Film award went to Ronal Hussain’s film Sneakers. The short film is about the journey of a riverboat operator who is coerced by militants to transport them to the distant jungle for the execution of a supposed government informer.
The Best Documentary Film award went to Mask Art Of Majuli directed by Utpal Borpujari. The documentary is about the 500-year-old mask-making tradition in Majuli river island.
The award ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to a week-long celebration of creativity and cinematic excellence.
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