‘Toy Gun’, directed by Parashuram Thingnam of Manipur, has won the Best Short Feature award in the Northeast India section at the 10th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF 2026), which concluded at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio, Kahilipara, Guwahati, on October 25.
‘The Silent Crisis’, directed by Smitakshi Baruah Goswami of Assam, bagged the Best Documentary award in the same section.
In the Rest of India section, ‘Gaach Pathar’, directed by Somnath Bag, won Best Short Feature, while ‘The Redemption’, directed by Harikishan M. V., received the Best Documentary award.
The closing ceremony was attended by State Minister Nilima Devi and RSS Asom Kshetra Prachar Pramukh Dr Sunil Mohanty.
Among other award winners, Sumi Saikia received Best Director for ‘In 9 Months’, while Shiddhartha Sharma won Best Screenplay for ‘Ankur’. Rupamjyoti Saikia received Best Cinematographer for ‘The Khamyang Story’, and Ambarish Borkotoki won Best Editor for ‘Ananta Jatra’. ‘Take Away’, directed by Nithan, received the Jury’s Special Mention.
The two-day festival, held under the theme “Our Heritage, Our Pride”, showcased 44 documentaries and short feature films across competitive and non-competitive sections. It opened on October 24 with the Japanese film ‘Kintsugi’, directed by Noomen Noomen, and concluded with the screening of ‘Present’, directed by Uzbek filmmaker Asadbek Akmal Ogli.
Organised by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra–Assam, the festival was inaugurated by National Award-winning filmmaker Dr Santwana Bardoloi. A special screening of ‘Bhupen Da Uncut’, directed by Bobbeeta Sharma, was also held to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
The organisers expressed gratitude to filmmakers, jury members, volunteers and others who contributed to the festival, reaffirming their commitment to encouraging emerging filmmakers and promoting cultural heritage through cinema.