Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2026: Mapping Asian Cinematic Conversations

The second edition of Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) took place from 13th to 16th February 2026, organized by Drishya Kalpa Kendra in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Assam. The festival was hosted at a very significant and historical location, the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, and curated by the renowned film critic Utpal Datta.

The festival showcased a remarkable selection of films from across Asia, including works from Kazakhstan, Nepal, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and various states of India. The opening film, The Story of the Sarma Beel, directed by Bidyut Kotoky, set the tone for the festival with its beautiful and deeply rooted storytelling from the region.

Over the course of four days, GAFF 2026 hosted film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions with filmmakers. The festival also paid tribute to the legendary Assamese filmmaker Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia, whose contributions to Indian cinema remain unparalleled. A special retrospective section was dedicated to his work, drawing large audiences and sparking conversations about the relevance of his cinematic vision in contemporary times.

The masterclasses were particularly noteworthy. Filmmakers from Iran and Kazakhstan shared insights into their creative processes, offering a rare glimpse into the cinematic traditions of their countries. These sessions highlighted both the diversity and the shared concerns of Asian cinema — the struggle for cultural identity, the impact of globalization, and the role of cinema in social change.

One of the key strengths of GAFF was its curatorial vision. Rather than attempting to cover the entire breadth of Asian cinema superficially, the festival focused on meaningful curation, selecting films that spoke to each other across themes, styles, and national boundaries. This created a cohesive festival experience where each screening felt like part of a larger conversation rather than an isolated event.

Another highlight was the focus on films from Northeast India. The region has a vibrant but often overlooked cinematic tradition, and GAFF provided a platform for these voices to be heard alongside their Asian counterparts. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with many screenings generating lively discussions that continued long after the credits rolled.

As the festival concluded, there was a palpable sense that something important had been initiated. GAFF is not just a festival; it is an assertion of the Northeast's growing stature as a vibrant and intellectually engaged cinematic space within Asia.