Ukhrul, Feb 28: The two-day Nagaland CineFest 2025 commenced today at the Heritage, Kohima. The event is being organised by the Department of Information & Public Relations, in association with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) under the theme, “Celebrating Stories, Inspiring Minds.”
The two-day festival aims to showcase a diverse range of films highlighting both local and national talent.
The first day of the festival featured masterclasses on “The evolution of film editing: cinema to digital age,” – a historical journey through major editing techniques innovations by Moses Mark, Singapore, and ‘Nagaland, New Horizons’ by Bendang Walling. Another highlight of the day was CineConnect – A conversation with Bendang Walling, LC Sekhose, Khrievilie Suohumvü, Kikru Neikha and Mr. Smile. Films such as Eleison (Have mercy) – directed by Raymond Colney (Mizoram), Chanchisoa (Expectation) – directed by Elvachisa Sangma (Meghalaya) and Paper Airplanes – directed by Moses Marks (Singapore) were screened on the first day of the festival.
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The festival was inaugurated by the Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha as the special guest.
Extending the Chief Minister’s greetings to the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), the filmmakers, the participants and all the people involved in the Nagaland CineFest 2025, Abu Metha expressed hope that more partnership and collaboration, such as the CineFest, which is being organised in association with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and National Film Development Corporation of India, will continue to happen in the State, for the people of the region to benefit.
Abu Metha then stated that filmmaking is a profession which shows the best of human mind and it is filmmakers who document today’s stories, yesterday’s experiences, and also leave behind gifts for future generations. He added that actors are the tools used to express the human mind.
Stating that the dynamics of film industry in India has completely changed, Abu Metha said that the power of social media, OTT platform and digitalisation of the world has democratised the film industry, allowing filmmakers and content creators to reach every corner of the globe within a matter of seconds, so also, allowing people to strive for their dreams and aspirations. He advised the gathering to use social media positively to empower oneself, while also understanding its responsibilities.
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Metha also assured that the State Government is carrying out exercises to map the creative economy of the State. Festivals like the CineFest Nagaland 2025, films, cinema, sport, music, dance, entertainment, etc. are all part of the creative economy, ensuring that there is no drain of talent for the State, and that young people have gainful careers in their State, he stated. He added that the State Government will be closely working with the Department of Information & Public Relations so that there will be more and bigger festivals related to films and cinema in the Hornbill Festival. He added that the State Government will collaborate with ministries, foreign embassies/governments and engage the real stakeholders of the film industry – filmmakers, actors etc. to design, formulate, and guide the planning process.
Stating that Nagaland, in the past decades, has been known for all the wrong reasons, be it violence, insurgency, instability, social turmoil, Abu Metha emphasised that our stories and the journey to the dreams and aspirations of the Naga people must be told in a different narrative – to be told through the creative and innovative minds of the people, so that our struggles will be better appreciated and understood, and that the global community will be more positive in understanding us. He reiterated that our stories have to be told through films, documentaries, songs, dances, etc. and appealed to the young audience to imagine, dream, tell stories to the world.
Earlier, emphasizing on the impact of films, Joint Secretary, Information & Public Relations, Kusa Fithu said that films go well beyond entertainment; they can educate, enlighten, and the universal language of films serves as a bridge to connect and unite people across the globe. She added that film festivals such as the Nagaland CineFest celebrate diversity and serve as a hub for networking and collaboration.
Kusa Fithu expressed hope that the Nagaland CineFest 2025 will not only entertain but help to educate and inspire emerging and aspiring filmmakers, actors, producers and film enthusiasts to showcase their work, engage in discussions and celebrate the art of filmmaking.
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