Malayalam film ‘Victoria’ wins Best Film Award at GAFF 2026
text_fields
Guwahati: Malayalam film Victoria, directed by Sivaranjini, won the Best Film Award at the second edition of the Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2026, which concluded here on Sunday night.
The four-day festival featured screenings of 26 regional, national, and international films from 10 Asian countries. Victoria also received additional recognition, with its cinematographer Anand Ravi being awarded a Jury Special Mention for his outstanding photography.
The film narrates the story of a small-town beautician who defies her Catholic family by eloping with her Hindu boyfriend. Her life takes a complicated turn when she receives a rooster meant for religious purposes from a neighbour.
The Second Best Film Award was presented to the Nepali film Shape of Momo, directed by Tribeny Rai, which was praised for its sensitive storytelling and fresh cinematic voice. Set in Sikkim, the film follows a woman who quits her job to return to her family and focuses on her efforts to empower them towards independence and self-reliance.
Showcasing cinema from the Northeast, the NE Spotlight Award went to the Assamese film Noi Kotha (River Tales), directed by Pankaj Borah. The film was recognised for its cultural relevance and strong regionally rooted narrative.
The Indian Showcase Competition jury at GAFF 2026 was chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, with noted film personalities Utpal Borpujari and Anupama Bose serving as jury members.
Commenting on the awards, GAFF Festival Director Monita Borgohain said, “The Indian Showcase Awards reflect the spirit of GAFF, celebrating bold storytelling, regional diversity and meaningful cinema. This year’s winners show how powerful narratives can emerge from diverse cultural landscapes while remaining universally resonant.”
For the first time, GAFF 2026 also conferred the Lifetime Achievement Honour on veteran actor Bishnu Kharghoria, recognising his extraordinary and enduring contribution to Indian cinema.
The festival, which began on Thursday, showcased films from 10 Asian countries,Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, Iran, Kazakhstan, and China.
Along with international entries, GAFF 2026 presented films from across India in multiple languages, including Marathi, Bajjika, Malayalam, Hindi, Tulu, Nepali, Assamese, Karbi, Bodo, Mising, Manipuri, and Bengali, highlighting the linguistic diversity of the region and the country.
In addition to film screenings, the festival hosted masterclasses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals from India and other Asian countries.
GAFF 2026 was organised by Trending Now Media (TNM) with support from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
With PTI inputs