It's interesting to note that the location of the festival i.e. Dirang, is reputed for its rich possession of picturesque landscapes and delightful weather attracting tourists and adventure enthusiasts alike all-round the year. The film festival is anticipated to not only attract a good number of visitors, but also offer them a chance to enjoy the mesmerising beauty of Arunachal Pradesh during their stay. 

Key highlights

The International tribal film festival will screen various movies based on the art and culture of the tribal communities across different languages by different filmmakers, both tribal and non-tribal alike. The screening of the movies will be carried out at the Picture time’s MDMT (mobile digital movie theatre). Panel discussions will also be held during the festive event on the importance of tribal films along with the pros and cons of shooting in Northeast India. The festival is also going to hold an interactive session with Mr. Debajit Gayan, who is the National Award-winning sound designer from the region himself.

Notable mentions

Semkhor

Featuring Assamese actress Aimee Baruah, it is an Assamese movie made in the Dimasa language, which revolves around the practices, customs, and folk notions of the inhabitants of Semkhor, who want to stay ‘untouched’ from the outside world. The film has garnered praises all across the nation and has also received the ‘Special Audience Award’ at the 20th Dhaka International Film Festival, along with being showcased at many other film festivals. This year, it will be a part of the movies being screened at the Dirang International Film Festival.

Crossing Bridges

This was the first ever feature film to be made in the Shertukpen language of Arunachal Pradesh by Sange Dorjee Thongdok back in 2013. Receiving the National Film Award for Best Film in Shertukpen, the film has also been premiered at the Mumbai International Film Festival of 2013. The movie is based on a middle-aged man called Tashi of Arunachal Pradesh, who after returning to his native village after losing his job at the city begins to have second thoughts, as the ambience, culture and history of his people starts to have a positive impact on him. 

Song of the Blue Hills

Directed by Utpal Borpujari who is well known as the double National Film Awardee as well as a reputed film critic, the movie, Songs of the Blue Hills is a finely made documentary that focuses on the contemporary Naga folk music trends. Released in the year 2013, the documentary is touted as the first ever film to highlight a wide range of Naga music and musicians together. Like any other ethnic communities, music has been acting as a common passion that unifies the ethnic tribes. The same is for the Naga community. This movie throws light on how the Nagas have been trying to establish a firm grip on their identity and cultural heritage by reviving their folk traditional practice of singing.

Just like these movies, other notable mentions to feature in the tribal film festival would be "A Dog and his Man", National Award-winning Khasi film "Onataah", acclaimed 2021 bilingual Manipuri film "Nine Hills One Valley" and “Ma.Ama" which is the first Garo movie to win a National Award.

Bamang Felix who is the present Minister of Home and Inter State Border Affairs of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as the Minister of IPR and Printing, has inaugurated the film festival today,and the MLA of Dirang, Phurpa Tsering, has declared Picture time' MDMT open.

Endeavours such as this will not only ignite sparks of attention on tribal arts and culture across the globe but also will elevate the status of the current local filmmakers that are trying their best to showcase their prowess in the industry and promote the tribal cultures and stories from all the nooks and corners of the state.