Notes from Panaji Film education fuels North-East storytelling revolution
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Herojit Nongmaithem
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa provided a crucial platform for a compelling panel discussion titled ‘The New Wave : Voices, Vision, and the Future of North-East Indian Cinema,’ shining a spotlight on a region with an immense reservoir of untold stories and burgeoning talent. This session brought together leading voices from the North-East’s vibrant cinematic landscape, including veteran Manipuri filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar and Assamese filmmakers Reema Borah and Mahrishi Tuhin Kashyap, with filmmaker Dominic Sangma serving as moderator. The conversation delved into the transformative role of film education, the persistent infrastructure challenges, and the pressing need for institutional support to bring North-East languages and narratives to National and global screens.
The core of the discussion centered on how film schools are serving as a vital crucible for new perspectives, equipping a fresh wave of directors with the skills to translate their rich cultural heritage into a compelling cinematic language. The panelists shared personal journeys and experiences, highlighting both the evolution of the regional industry and the road ahead for an industry brimming with potential.
Transformative Role of Film Schools and Education
The session emphatically acknowledged the indispensable role of formal film education in shaping the current generation of North-East filmmakers. Moderator Dominic Sangma framed the discussion around storytelling and education, drawing on his own roots in oral storytelling traditions.
He shared that exposure to global cinema expanded his perception of narrative structures, but ultimately, the most authentic and compelling stories come from one’s own land.
‘Film school teaches you how to tell them’ Sangma observed, emphasizing that technical skills and theoretical grounding empower filmmakers to bring their stories to the screen effectively.
The panelists contrasted the current landscape with the past, underscoring the progress made. Haobam Paban Kumar reflected on his early struggles in the 1990s, when formal film education opportunities were scarce for those in the North-East, with only the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata as major options.
Competition was fierce, and access was limited. Reema Borah praised recent steps by the Government, such as the establishment of a new film institute in Arunachal Pradesh, as a vital move toward broadening access and preserving the region’s linguistic and cultural diversity on screen.
The consensus was clear: these institutions are crucial not just for skill-building but for nurturing talent and preserving the unique cultural identity of the region’s diverse communities.
Challenges: Infrastructure, Access, and Visibility
Despite the optimism regarding emerging talent, the panelists were candid about the substantial hurdles that continue to impede the growth of North-East cinema. A key challenge is the inadequacy of production and post-production infrastructure within the region. Filmmakers like Haobam Paban Kumar and Dominic Sangma shared insights into working at the grassroots level, often without robust formal support systems.
A significant concern raised by Assamese actor Jatin Bora at a similar WAVES 2025 panel was the limited market access and distribution networks. He noted that even the best regional films struggle to cross State lines without a robust system.
He specifically urged Government support for creating dedicated Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms for Assamese and other North-East films, which he believes are essential for marketing and reaching broader National and international audiences. The lack of a strong distribution network means that many remarkable works produced by local talent remain largely unseen beyond regional boundaries.
Furthermore, the language barrier and limited financial backing and marketing infrastructure were identified as major stumbling blocks. Actor-director Aimee Baruah highlighted the role of cinema in preserving linguistic diversity, pointing out that local languages carry centuries of oral history, and film is a powerful medium to promote them.
However, translating this into commercial viability requires systemic investment and long-term policies from both central and state governments to support the entire regional film ecosystem.
A Vision for the Future
Institutional Support and Global Reach. The discussion concluded on a hopeful yet urgent note, with all stakeholders calling for concrete actions to elevate the cinematic voices of the North-East. The vision articulated by the panelists is one where the region’s rich history and abundance of untold stories are seen and heard on national and global screens. The path forward, as outlined in the panel, requires a multi-pronged approach:
Continued Investment: There needs to be sustained investment in film schools, infrastructure, and mentorship programs to support emerging talent.
Policy Reforms : Government bodies are urged to implement long-term policies that address the unique needs of regional cinema, specifically regarding funding and distribution.
Digital Platforms: Strategic use and development of OTT platforms were presented as a crucial modern solution to overcome traditional distribution barriers and expand market reach.
Regional and Global Collaboration: Fostering collaborations among various stakeholders, including private investors, National studios, and potentially international partners, is seen as key to enriching global dialogue and providing broader exposure.
The ‘New Wave’ of North-East cinema is an emerging force, defined by a generation of filmmakers who are technically proficient, culturally grounded, and ready to share their unique perspectives with the world.
With the right institutional support and expanded platforms, these diverse voices have the potential to enrich the entire landscape of Indian cinema and capture global attention.
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa provided a crucial platform for a compelling panel discussion titled ‘The New Wave : Voices, Vision, and the Future of North-East Indian Cinema,’ shining a spotlight on a region with an immense reservoir of untold stories and burgeoning talent. This session brought together leading voices from the North-East’s vibrant cinematic landscape, including veteran Manipuri filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar and Assamese filmmakers Reema Borah and Mahrishi Tuhin Kashyap, with filmmaker Dominic Sangma serving as moderator. The conversation delved into the transformative role of film education, the persistent infrastructure challenges, and the pressing need for institutional support to bring North-East languages and narratives to National and global screens.
The core of the discussion centered on how film schools are serving as a vital crucible for new perspectives, equipping a fresh wave of directors with the skills to translate their rich cultural heritage into a compelling cinematic language. The panelists shared personal journeys and experiences, highlighting both the evolution of the regional industry and the road ahead for an industry brimming with potential.
Transformative Role of Film Schools and Education
The session emphatically acknowledged the indispensable role of formal film education in shaping the current generation of North-East filmmakers. Moderator Dominic Sangma framed the discussion around storytelling and education, drawing on his own roots in oral storytelling traditions.
He shared that exposure to global cinema expanded his perception of narrative structures, but ultimately, the most authentic and compelling stories come from one’s own land.
‘Film school teaches you how to tell them’ Sangma observed, emphasizing that technical skills and theoretical grounding empower filmmakers to bring their stories to the screen effectively.
The panelists contrasted the current landscape with the past, underscoring the progress made. Haobam Paban Kumar reflected on his early struggles in the 1990s, when formal film education opportunities were scarce for those in the North-East, with only the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata as major options.
Competition was fierce, and access was limited. Reema Borah praised recent steps by the Government, such as the establishment of a new film institute in Arunachal Pradesh, as a vital move toward broadening access and preserving the region’s linguistic and cultural diversity on screen.
The consensus was clear: these institutions are crucial not just for skill-building but for nurturing talent and preserving the unique cultural identity of the region’s diverse communities.
Challenges: Infrastructure, Access, and Visibility
Despite the optimism regarding emerging talent, the panelists were candid about the substantial hurdles that continue to impede the growth of North-East cinema. A key challenge is the inadequacy of production and post-production infrastructure within the region. Filmmakers like Haobam Paban Kumar and Dominic Sangma shared insights into working at the grassroots level, often without robust formal support systems.
A significant concern raised by Assamese actor Jatin Bora at a similar WAVES 2025 panel was the limited market access and distribution networks. He noted that even the best regional films struggle to cross State lines without a robust system.
He specifically urged Government support for creating dedicated Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms for Assamese and other North-East films, which he believes are essential for marketing and reaching broader National and international audiences. The lack of a strong distribution network means that many remarkable works produced by local talent remain largely unseen beyond regional boundaries.
Furthermore, the language barrier and limited financial backing and marketing infrastructure were identified as major stumbling blocks. Actor-director Aimee Baruah highlighted the role of cinema in preserving linguistic diversity, pointing out that local languages carry centuries of oral history, and film is a powerful medium to promote them.
However, translating this into commercial viability requires systemic investment and long-term policies from both central and state governments to support the entire regional film ecosystem.
A Vision for the Future
Institutional Support and Global Reach. The discussion concluded on a hopeful yet urgent note, with all stakeholders calling for concrete actions to elevate the cinematic voices of the North-East. The vision articulated by the panelists is one where the region’s rich history and abundance of untold stories are seen and heard on national and global screens. The path forward, as outlined in the panel, requires a multi-pronged approach:
Continued Investment: There needs to be sustained investment in film schools, infrastructure, and mentorship programs to support emerging talent.
Policy Reforms : Government bodies are urged to implement long-term policies that address the unique needs of regional cinema, specifically regarding funding and distribution.
Digital Platforms: Strategic use and development of OTT platforms were presented as a crucial modern solution to overcome traditional distribution barriers and expand market reach.
Regional and Global Collaboration: Fostering collaborations among various stakeholders, including private investors, National studios, and potentially international partners, is seen as key to enriching global dialogue and providing broader exposure.
The ‘New Wave’ of North-East cinema is an emerging force, defined by a generation of filmmakers who are technically proficient, culturally grounded, and ready to share their unique perspectives with the world.
With the right institutional support and expanded platforms, these diverse voices have the potential to enrich the entire landscape of Indian cinema and capture global attention.