Guwahati: The National Tribal Film and Literature Festival 2025 commenced on Thursday at the NEDFi Convention Centre in Guwahati, celebrating indigenous storytelling through cinema and literature.
The three-day festival was inaugurated by Assam’s Tribal Affairs (Plain) Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, who emphasized the need to learn from the sustainable and rich cultural practices of tribal communities.
The inaugural session featured a distinguished panel chaired by Dr. Pegu, alongside Padma Shri awardee and Director of AIRTSC, Anil Boro, and filmmaker Kenny Basumatary. The event witnessed the launch of the Festival Catalogue and Rhythm of the River – An Anthology of Tribal Poetry, edited by Madhu Raghavendra.
The festival showcases 11 films in competition and two special screenings, representing over 10 indigenous languages. A literary segment featuring 25 poets and panelists, including Padma Shri awardees and emerging voices, will delve into themes such as oral tradition preservation, language revival, and tribal narratives in Indian literature.
Cultural performances by Assam Downtown University brought the festival’s vibrancy to life, featuring traditional dances from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
In his address, Dr. Pegu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting tribal arts and underscored the increasing global recognition of indigenous ecological wisdom. He called for a shift in perspective towards valuing tribal knowledge and traditions.
Binita Pegu, Director of AIRTSC, concluded the session with a strong call to action, emphasizing the power of tribal voices in reshaping India’s cultural narrative. The day ended with a special screening of Bibo Binanao, directed by Kenny Basumatary, followed by a discussion moderated by filmmaker Sesino Yhoshu.
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