ITANAGAR, Mar 6: The 11th edition of the Arunachal Film Festival (AFF) officially stepped into the spotlight today at TNZ Cinemas, marking a "long but purposeful" 11-year journey for the region’s storytellers. Organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the festival has grown into a vital heartbeat for the creative economy, blending technical mastery with the raw, independent spirit of local cinema.
While the event was graced by Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu as Chief Guest, alongside IPR Minister Nyato Dukam, MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom and Commissioner Nyali Ete, the most talked-about moment occurred off-stage. In a move that truly humanized the proceedings, Deputy CM Chowna Mein chose to attend the event as an "ardent movie-goer," sitting among students and delegates to reinforce the idea that cinema is a "shared human experience that transcends beyond titles and protocols".
Celebrating a decade of storytelling, Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu warmly thanked the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) for nurturing the AFF for the last one decade. He expressed heartfelt optimism that this creative hub for filmmakers will serve as a vibrant window into Arunachal’s deep-rooted traditions and breathtaking scenic beauty. By fostering professional discourse, he remarked thatthe festival is finally giving the state’s rich culture the global stage it deserves while also emphasizing that with technological advancement , film sector have abundant scope for progress in the days to come.
In one room, students explored the "Fundamentals of Animations" with FTII’s Phidi Pulu, while in another, the Top 10 shortlisted student short films were screened to a competitive audience. This focus on the next generation was echoed by Minister Nyato Dukam, who noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, filmmaking in Arunachal is "set to grow enormously" so that local voices are finally "heard on a wider scale".
Technical excellence took centre stage with a specializedSony India workshop on Cinema Camera ecosystems, providing local creators with the same tools used by industry professionals. Between sessions, attendees engaged in high-level discourse, including a deep-dive into independent filmmaking with Stenzin Tankyong and a Q&A with producer Ranjan Singh following a screening of the Anurag Kashyap directed film Kennedy. Commissioner Nyali Ete also highlighted a landmark "Ladies Panel" titled “Women Shaping the Future of Cinema”, emphasizing a commitment to inclusivity and the evolution of the craft from "conception to the big screen".
The festival’s first day reached an emotional peak with the screening of the opening feature, The Little Monk. As director Nang Tanvi and the crew took the stage for an interactive session with the delegates, it was clear that the 11th AFF is more than just a series of screenings—it is a launchpad for the voices of Arunachal to reach the world.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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