NEIFF 2025 concludes: Samiran Deka, Bhaskar Jyoti Das win best director awards

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 17, 2025

The 2nd North East India Film Festival (NEIFF) 2025 concluded on a high note at the Library & Information Centre in Kakching, Manipur, with a vibrant cultural showcase and an esteemed award ceremony. Organized by THOUNA, Manipur, in collaboration with the Film Forum Manipur and the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Manipur, the festival was sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The five-day festival celebrated the cinematic and cultural heritage of Northeast India, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and intellectuals to highlight the power of cinema as a medium for social change, education, and cultural preservation. The event screened 28 films, including eight feature films and two non-feature films selected for competition.

The prestigious Best Non-Feature Film Award was conferred upon Where Is My Home, co-directed by Late Bhaskar Jyoti Das and Samiran Deka, and produced by Ssdeka Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd. The film sheds light on the struggles of India’s displaced Bru (Reang) community, who have endured 23 years of exile following ethnic conflicts in Mizoram in 1997. Through a compelling narrative, the documentary captures the resilience and unyielding hope of the Bru refugees living in relief camps across Tripura.

Samiran Deka’s impact on independent cinema was further solidified as his second film, Teens of 42, was also screened at the festival, earning widespread acclaim. With growing recognition at multiple film festivals, Samiran Deka and Ssdeka Media Entertainment have emerged as significant forces in Northeast India’s evolving film industry.

The Best Feature Film Award was bagged by the Manipuri film Oitharei, produced by Gibanlata Thokchom and directed by Dinesh Naorem.

The award for Best Director was bagged by Dhiraj Kashyap for the Assamese film ‘Amateurs’, the Best Screenplay award was won by Binoranjan Oinam for ‘Langdai Ama’ (Manipuri), while Joy Mekola took home the Best Cinematography award for ‘Oitharei’, Tarun Wang received the Best Editing award for ‘Laangoi’ and Debojit Gayan bagged the Best Sound Design award for ‘Baghjan’. The Special Jury Award was bagged by actor Narmada for the film ‘Sunita’, which also received the Jury’s Special Mention. ‘The Legacy of 4 Generations’ received the Special Mention in the Non-Feature Film category. The winners received trophies and cash prizes in addition to citations.

Winners were honoured with trophies, cash prizes, and citations, recognizing their contributions to Northeast India’s thriving cinematic landscape.

The 2nd NEIFF successfully reinforced the region’s storytelling prowess, amplifying indigenous voices and offering a platform for films that reflect the diversity and resilience of Northeast India. With its growing prominence, the festival is set to become a premier destination for filmmakers and cinephiles passionate about regional cinema and cultural narratives.