Guwahati, Apr 17: The inaugural Belghoria Film Festival concluded successfully, drawing attention for its outstanding selection of films. Assamese filmmaker Namrata Datta was awarded the Best Director honor for her documentary Lakshahira, which also garnered the Best Cinematography award, shared by Ratul Barman and Utpal Datta.

Lakshahira is a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Lakshahira Das, a revered educator and singer who passed away at the age of 95. The documentary captures her personal stories, blending intimate memories with her significant public contributions to education and culture. The film has gained widespread appreciation in Assam, with special screenings organized by the state government and educational institutions.

In its debut edition, the Belghoria Film Festival showcased a collection of short films and documentaries exploring themes like identity, childhood, spirituality, and social change. The festival successfully created a platform for independent filmmakers and earned national recognition for its commitment to presenting diverse voices in cinema.

The event saw the presence of notable guests, including Anjan Bose, Rajdeep Paul, Sharmistha Maity, Amit Saha, K.G. Das, Subir Mondal, Rana Pratap Karforma, Satarupa Sanyal, Subhadeep Bandyopadhyay, and Asoke Basu, who supported and shared valuable insights for the festival.

The festival’s esteemed jury, which included Joydeep Bose, Olivia Das, Jayashree Bhattacharya, and Tutul Pal, evaluated films based on both technical skill and emotional depth. The festival also featured a special screening of Rahul Biswas’s Astaraag, a film praised for its compelling narrative and striking visuals.

Lakshahira’s recognition at the festival highlights its success in bringing authentic, meaningful storytelling to the forefront, embodying the festival’s mission to honor independent and regional cinema.