Shillong, June 21: In an inspiring feat that has once again put the spotlight on film-making talent in Meghalaya, “Chanchisoa” (Expectation), a film directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) Award’ for Best Student Film at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024.
Chanchisoa is a 30-minute short fiction film in the Garo language, and produced by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute Assam.
Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs, Sudhir Mungantiwar, President of IDPA, Sanskar Desai, Festival Director and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, B. Prithul Kumar, and actor Shekhar Suman presented the Award. The Award carries a trophy and prize money of Rs. 1 lakh.
The film explores themes of identity, love, and the human connection with nature, set against the backdrop of the matrilineal society of Garo Hills. The film’s lush cinematography, complex storytelling, and compelling performances converge to subtly convey the underlying tensions within a family, marking it as a significant accomplishment in student filmmaking.
Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das, the directors behind Chanchisoa, have crafted a narrative that not only celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the Garo community but also resonates universally with its exploration of human emotions and relationships.
Elvachisa has specialised in Cinematography. Her filmmaking passion is fuelled by desire to showcase unique stories from her culture. Dipankar Das from North Lakhimpur, Assam studied film making and is eager to explore new cinematic experiences. Dipankar is committed to expanding his knowledge and appreciation of the world of cinema.
This announcement has also once again highlighted the talent present in Garo Hills part of the region, after the recent success of Dominic Sangma, another highly acclaimed film-maker from Garo Hills, at the global stage.
The Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute (DBHRGFTI), earlier known as Jyoti Chitraban Film and Television Institute (JCFTI) (from 1999 till 2011) and then renamed as Regional Government Film and Television Institute (RGFTI) (from 2011 to 2016), is a regional centre of excellence in the field of film & television education and programme production. For many years, it was the only institute of its kind in the entire north-eastern region of India. The institute, considered as one of the leading film & television institutes of the country, emphasizes on holistic development of its students as a film maker through interactive practical training on various aspects of film education.
