Assamese Feature Film ‘Juiphool’ bags the most coveted Dr Zubeen Garg Memorial Best Feature Film Award; Rajesh Touchriver honoured as Best Director for DAHINI-the Witch
Film Fraternity in Hyderabad Applauds Niri9’s Efforts to Connect with Pan-India Audiences, Assures Future Collaborations
HYDERABAD, JANUARY 12, 2026: The third edition of the Niri9 International Film Festival concluded two remarkable days (10th Jan & 11th Jan 2026) of cinematic excellence, creative exchange, and cultural celebration. Hosted at Prasad Film Labs and Raj Bhavan Samskruti Auditorium, the festival emerged as a vibrant platform that brought together filmmakers, artists, industry veterans, and cinema enthusiasts from across India and abroad.
The two-day festival showcased an impressive range of films across Feature Films, Short Films, Shorter Films, and Documentaries, reflecting diverse voices, themes, and cinematic styles. From socially charged narratives to experimental storytelling and globally acclaimed features, the carefully curated lineup deeply engaged audiences and sparked meaningful conversations.
M Dana Kishore, Special Chief Secretary to the Governor was present as the Chief Guest of the event. C Priyanka, Managing Director of Telangana Film Development Corporation was present as Special Guest. Other dignitaries present during the closing ceremony included _*VN Aditya, Senior Director & Chairman, National Film Awards; Ashok Kumar, Actor & Director; Ajitah Surabhi, Principal of SVFFA, among others.*
One of the major intellectual highlights of the festival was the panel discussion held on Day 2, featuring eminent personalities such as Seema Biswas, Carlyta Mouhini, Manoj Nandwana, Jadumoni Dutta, Dr Padmini Nagulapalli, Satish, Y Ravi Shankar and Dr Junmoni Devi Khaund, the festival director. The session was moderated by Sunitha Krishnan. The discussion witnessed insightful conversations on cinema as a tool for social change, independent filmmaking, representation, and the evolving landscape of storytelling in the digital era. It also deliberated upon film production, co-production, and distribution, both nationally and globally.
The category-wise winners of the film festival are as follows:
Feature Films
* Best Feature Film: Juiphool
* Second Best Feature Film: Ghar
* Third Best Feature Film: Dahini – The Witch
* Jury Special Award: Kuhipath
* Best Actor (Male): Bishnu Khargoria (Akash Henu Nodir Nam)
* Best Actor (Female): Akanksha Yadav (Ghar)
* Best Child Artist(s): Nihar Kashyap, Sanidul Islam, Manik Ali (Kuhipath)
* Best Director: Rajesh Touchriver (Dahini – The Witch)
* Best Cinematography: Noushad Shereef (Dahini – The Witch)
* Best Editor: K Sasi Kumar (Dahini – The Witch)
* Best Music Director: Sourabh Mahanta (Akash Henu Nodir Nam)
* Best Concept: Ritul Phukan (Writer of Life Behind the Life)
* Best Art Direction: Pranab Jyoti Sarmah (Dhonguloi)
* Best Script: Kangkan Bora (Ghar)
* Best Make-Up: N G Roshan (Dahini – The Witch)
* Best Sound Design: Debajit Gayan (Prastabana)
* Best Costume Design: Nandini Sharma Dutta (Juiphool)
Short Films
* Best Short Film: Character
* Second Best Short Film: Abaseshot
* Third Best Short Film: Manitha Subhvam
* Jury Special Award: Chori
* Best Director: Himjyoti Talukdar (Ilish)
* Best Actor (Male): Sunny Kawale (Chori)
* Best Actor (Female): Sima Barua (Abaseshot)
* Best Editor: Uddipta Kumar Bhattacharya (Ilish)
* Best Child Actor: Karshita Subhnagi Kayshap (Abaseshot)
Shorter Films
* Best Shorter Film: That Ugly Green Planet
* Second Best Shorter Film: Shesh Chithi
* Third Best Shorter Film: Omnipresent
Documentary Films
* Best Documentary Film: Golden Thread
* Second Best Documentary Film: The Elephant Haven
* Third Best Documentary Film: PAPA – From Darkness to the Light
* Best Actor (Popular): Samit Choudhury (Dr Nishant)
Notably, Juiphool received the Dr Zubeen Garg Memorial Best Feature Film Award, marking a highlight of the valedictory ceremony.
Speaking on the successful conclusion, Festival Director Dr Junmoni Devi Khaund expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants, jury members, dignitaries, partners, volunteers, and audiences. She said, “Niri9 stands for fearless storytelling and meaningful cinema. These two days have reaffirmed our belief that films can connect cultures, challenge perspectives, and create lasting impact. I am deeply thankful to everyone who made this journey possible.”
The Niri9 International Film Festival, an initiative of NIRI 9, an OTT platform under NIRI Media (OPC) Private Limited, Guwahati, continues to strengthen its position as a significant cultural forum for independent and socially conscious cinema. With its commitment to inclusivity, regional voices, and global narratives, the festival once again proved that cinema remains one of the most powerful mediums of expression and dialogue.
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