Itanagar, Mar 6: Minister for Agriculture and Allied Departments, Gabriel D Wangsu, inaugurated the 11th edition of the Arunachal Film Festival at TNZ Cinemas here on Friday evening. The three-day event is being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing the event, Wangsu appreciated the IPR Department for consistently organising the festival and promoting the culture of cinema in the state. He described cinema as a powerful medium of storytelling that captures the emotions, struggles, dreams and aspirations of society.
Highlighting the rich cultural diversity of Arunachal Pradesh, the minister said films play a significant role in reflecting the traditions, languages, folklore and unique way of life of the people. He noted that platforms such as the Arunachal Film Festival enable local stories to reach wider audiences while showcasing the creative potential of filmmakers from the state.
Emphasising the importance of encouraging young talent, Wangsu said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has been actively promoting youth empowerment and creativity through various initiatives. Programmes such as ‘Battle of Minds’ under the Department of Youth Affairs and ‘Catch Them Young’ under the Agriculture and Allied Departments are aimed at nurturing talent and creating opportunities for young people, he said.
The minister also commended the IPR Department for its sustained efforts to strengthen the film ecosystem in the state. He expressed confidence that with the right support and encouragement, the film industry can contribute meaningfully to the creative economy of Arunachal Pradesh while opening new avenues for aspiring youth.
Assuring continued support from the state government for initiatives that nurture local talent and encourage collaborations, Wangsu expressed hope that the festival would continue to grow as an important cultural platform and inspire the next generation of storytellers from the state.
Minister for Information and Public Relations Nyato Dukam, Commissioner Nyali Ete, senior officers of the IPR Department, filmmakers, artists and cinema enthusiasts from different states were present at the opening ceremony.
The event also featured the screening of the opening film “Chausang On – The Little Monk.” The screening was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and MLA-cum-Advisor Chau Zingnu Namchoom, among other dignitaries.
The Arunachal Film Festival is a cultural initiative of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, organised through the IPR Department, aimed at celebrating the growing spirit of cinema in the state and highlighting the creative potential of its filmmakers.
The first day of the festival featured a series of workshops and screenings. Students participated in a session on animation fundamentals conducted by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) faculty member Phidi Pulu, while the top ten shortlisted student short films were screened.
The programme also included a workshop by Sony India on cinema camera ecosystems, along with a discussion on independent filmmaking with Stenzin Tankyong. Delegates also interacted with producer Ranjan Singh following the screening of Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap.
Commissioner Nyali Ete also highlighted the festival’s “Ladies Panel” titled Women Shaping the Future of Cinema, aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in filmmaking.
The opening day concluded with the screening of the feature film The Little Monk, followed by an interactive session with director Nang Tanvi and the film’s crew, marking an inspiring start to this year’s festival.