GUWAHATI: The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival began Thursday with a collection of 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries to be screened in the next one week.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seven-day long film extravaganza saying that the festival is aimed to integrate the world as a family.
"The aim of cinema is to integrate the society, humanity and create brotherhood. It's like a global village and small family. We need to stay together," he said while welcoming a host of dignitaries here.
Sonowal said India and Assam does not need conflict and want coordination, peace of life and humanity.
"GIFF is to develop mind. Films can give lots of confidence and generate peace, creativity and imagination," he added.
The Chief Minister also informed that the state government will soon notify a new film policy to encourage local filmmakers in production and exhibition of their products.
The ceremony was also attended by Lithuanian Ambassador Julius Pranevicius, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Maric and Latvian Ambassador designated Artis Bertulis.
"Cinema is a powerful tool. In the world of cinema, we now have another spot in India," Pranevicius said.
Maric opined that film is an useful tool of diplomacy and is a good way to know the culture of that particular place.
During the festival, nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia will be present.
The Assam Government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.
Eminent filmmaker Shaji N Karun will be the Chief Guests during the closing ceremony of the festival.
The 2nd GIFF will begin with streaming of the National Award winning Director Jahnu Barua's yet-to-be released Assamese film 'Broken Window' (Bhoga Khirikee), while 'Black Crow' (Siyah Karga) by Turkish Director Muhammet Tayfur Aydin will be the closing film.
In his year, the ASEAN countries will be the focus region with 14 films from 10 countries of the ASEAN region.
Some of the films from the South East Asian nations will be 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal, 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi.
Apart from the ASEAN, films from the US, the UK, Spain, France, Argentina, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Bangladesh, Qatar, Portugal, Sweden, China, Germany, Denmark, Georgia, Serbia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Albania, Estonia, Lithuania, Ireland, Peru, Czech Republic, Mexico, Iceland and Denmark will also be screened.