HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 25: Noted director from Assam, Mridul Gupta and producer Dhaniram Tisso are elated as their feature film ‘Mirbeen’ will feature at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) – Indian Panorama, 2023.
The Karbi feature film is the only regional film from the Northeast to feature in the prestigious film festival that will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. It is one among the 25 feature films selected from among 408 contemporary Indian feature films.
‘Mirbeen’ producer Dhaniram Tisso said it is a proud moment for every Karbi and Assam as a whole to be included in the feature film in the IFFI, 2023.
Tisso said, “Every filmmaker has a dream to include his or her film in the International Film Festival of India, which is the most prestigious film festival in the country as well as abroad. Very few get the chance and I am fortunate that my film Mirbeen was selected for the film festival.”
Meanwhile, director and recipient of Rajat Kamal award, Mridul Gupta was unavailable for comment.
Although ‘Mirbeen’ was made in 2022, it will be released after the national film competition. He plans to release the film after participating in the film competition. The competition is being held after a hiatus of two years due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The aim of Indian Panorama, organized by the National Film Development Corporation under the Union ministry of information and broadcasting to select the feature and non – feature films of cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence in accordance with the conditions and procedures of Indian Panorama.
The selection of the Indian Panorama is made by eminent personalities from the world of cinema from across India comprising a total of twelve jury members for feature films and six jury members for non-feature films led by the respective chairpersons. Exercising their individual expertise, the eminent jury panels contribute evenly to the consensus that leads to the selection of Indian Panorama films of the respective categories.
The time the feature film jury, comprising of twelve members, was headed by acclaimed film director, actor and producer and chairperson, T. S. Nagabharana.
On the other hand, ‘Mirbeen’ has received 11 awards in various categories in the Rangsina Film Award, 2022, the best Northeast film award in First NE Film Festival, 2022 held at Dimapur, the best Asian film in Tokyo Film Award, 2023 held in Japan and as the best International Narrative Feature Film in Druk International Film Festival, 2023 in Bhutan.
The film also won awards in the best director (Mridul Gupta), best actress (Malin Tissopi) and best cameraman (Pradip Diamary) categories in the NIRI International Film Festival, 2023 held at Kolkatta. It was also adjudged the best film in the non-Assamese category in Prag Cine Award, 2023 held at Guwahati and the best feature film at the Northeast Film Festival held at Mumbai this year.