Rebecca Changkija's video: Filmmakers from Northeast India exchanging their views at NIIFF Northeast India International F F

The first Northeast India International Film Festival (NIIFF) concluded on December 13 at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima. The two-day event which began on December 12 was held under the theme ‘Promote the Northeast region as a potential filmmaking destination and open the doors to broader audience for filmmaking in Northeast India.’ According to a press release, movie makers from all over India came for the film festival with submission of more than 150 movies not only from India but also abroad. The event saw tremendous response from the northeastern states and filmmakers from Manipur, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and other north eastern states were present, it said. NIIFF was organised by Find Studioz, in association with Sushma Production, and sponsored by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Ravinder Bhakar, MD National Film Development Corporation Ltd (NFDC) and Md Zahid Sharif, Under Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India were present on the occasion, it said. The festival was inaugurated in the presence of special guests Rupin Sharma, Nagaland Director-General of Police (prisons, home guards and civil defence) and former Member of Parliament C Apok Jamir. On the occasion, Ravinder Bhakar, MD (NFDC) is said to have apprised the filmmakers from Northeast India about NFDC policies and programmes while also encouraging the participants and filmmakers to make films and to organise such events in Northeast India. Addressing a gathering at the commencing programme of the festival, Under Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting , Md Zahid Sharif, who was on 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,’ the release stated. Sharif stated that the ministry was thinking of hosting North East Film Festival in different cities across the country, with a view to showcase best of Northeast 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 Northeastern part of the country. Sharif further maintained that the Ministry was looking to provide support in documentary filmmaking from the region, provide nominal aid for film makers of the NE region whose script might have prospect to enhance cultural/traditional impact in the country and abroad, and also increase tourism potential of region, in addition to serving as educative material about the region and its people. As per the release, Mohas Das (Chairman ,NIIFF) , Rebecca Changkija Sema (Festival Director ,NIIFF), Shiraz Henry (Joint Director, NIIFF), Sajan Verma (Festival Coordinator , NIIFF) were integral parts of the Festival Committee and Linda Newmai, Sushma Gurund and Jutikaa Mahanta gave their full support to NIIFF. Entertainment Channel , Enjoy videos with information .