Garo docu wins best student film award at Mumbai int’l fest

Shillong: Chanchisoa (expectation), a Garo language film from Meghalaya, was adjudged the best student film by the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association (IDPA) Award at the MumbaiInternationalFilmFestival(MIFF) 2024. The film has been directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das and produced by Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and TV Institute.
Maharashtra minister for cultural affairs, Sudhir Mungantiwar, IDPA president Sanskar Desai, festival director and joint secretary, Union ministry of information and broadcasting, B Prithul Kumar and actor Shekhar Suman presented the award, comprising a trophy and prize money of Rs 1 lakh.
“This beautiful short fiction explores identity, love, and human connection between nature and a household in the matrilineal society of Garo Hills. The film's lush cinematography, complex storytelling and actors performances seamlessly work hand in hand to convey in subtle ways the underlying strains large in this family; making it a remarkable achievement as a student film,” a statement issued by the Union ministry of information and broadcasting said.
“Elvachisa from Meghalaya has specialized in cinematography and her filmmaking passion is fueled by a desire to showcase unique stories from this culture. Dipankar Das from North Lakhimpur, Assam studied film making and is eager to explore new cinematic experiences. Dipankar is committed to expanding his knowledge and appreciation of the world of cinema,” the statement said.