Guwahati: The inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF), 2025, will be hosted at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio, Guwahati, from February 7 to 9. Iranian film ‘In the Arms of the Tree’, directed by Babak Khajehpasha, will mark the beginning of the festival, while ‘My Melbourne’, a collaborative work by Imtiaz Ali, Rima Das, Onir and Kabir Khan, will conclude the event.
Organised by Trending Now Media, GAFF, 2025, aims to highlight Asia’s diverse storytelling traditions, with particular emphasis on Assam and the northeast film industry.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, honorary festival director Monita Borgohain said, “We are proud to present a thoughtfully curated line-up that promises to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers. Every film was carefully selected to offer a transformative cinematic journey, bridging cultures and sparking meaningful conversations.”
Organisers said that the event will feature a selection of more than 200 feature films across various Asian nations, including Iran, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey. A dedicated competitive category for the northeast films will acknowledge its excellence through awards for ‘Best Film’, ‘Best Direction’ and ‘Best Performance’, celebrating creativity, technical excellence and storytelling.
Honorary programme director Kishore Kumar Sarma said, “This is an excellent opportunity for the cine lovers to relish the finest cinematic masterpieces across Asia. The festival promises to bring the world to our doorstep, allowing audiences to experience diverse cultures, stories and artistic expressions right here in the heart of Assam.”
The festival schedule includes industry-focused panel discussions and workshops led by distinguished filmmakers and experts, facilitating professional networking and creative collaborations.
Distinguished Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage has been chosen as the chief guest. The festival committee includes personalities such as film critic and festival advisor Srinivasa Santhanam, National Award-winning film critic and filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, National Award-winning filmmaker Manju Borah and prominent film critic, music journalist, and editor Dalton Christopher.
This significant cultural gathering will unite cinema enthusiasts, creators, and industry professionals for three days of Asian cinema celebration.