International Film Festival of Delhi kicks off with strong presence of Assamese films
Guwahati: Delhi has stepped onto the global cinema stage with the launch of its first-ever International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD), being held from March 25 to March 31. The week-long festival is already drawing attention for its massive scale, international participation, and a strong line-up of films from Assam.
Organised by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation in collaboration with the Government of Delhi, IFFD aims to position the national capital as a key hub for global cinema, creative industries, and film tourism.
A number of Assamese films have secured prominent slots across categories. In the Expanded section, Himjyoti Talukdar’s Moromor Deuta (Dear Father), Dip Bhuyan’s Ganaraag, and Monjul Baruah’s Romantic Affairs in Indian Cinema have been selected, highlighting the growing footprint of Assamese cinema on national platforms.
The Shorts Showcase further amplifies regional voices, featuring Sonatan Karmakar’s Bengali short Shaluk Papri (Soul of a Dry Flower) and Alakesh Pathak’s Aaloy. Meanwhile, the Audience and Access Showcase includes Prakash Deka’s Nora, Aishwarjya Bora’s Moishal (The Last Herd), Deep Choudhury’s Runanubandh, and Dhiraj Kashyap’s documentary Molai – Man Behind the Forest.
Beyond screenings, Assam has also made its mark in the IFFD CineXchange co-production market. Key projects include Khanjan Kishore Nath’s Hindi-Karbi feature Love You Messi, Hira Das and Rachit Passi’s Shades of Autumn, and Reema Borah’s Jolaxoi (The Wetland). Their inclusion signals increasing industry confidence in stories emerging from the Northeast.
The festival showcases over 125 Indian and international films, complemented by red-carpet premieres, celebrity appearances, masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural performances. Industry-focused segments such as film markets, networking events, and AR/VR showcases further underline IFFD’s ambition to become a comprehensive film ecosystem.
Envisioned under the Delhi Film Policy, the festival is expected to boost tourism, attract global filmmakers, and energise local businesses. More importantly, it opens new doors for regional industries like Assamese cinema to gain international visibility and distribution opportunities.
As IFFD makes its debut, the strong Assamese presence stands out as a reminder that compelling regional storytelling is increasingly shaping India’s cinematic future.