Guwahati: The organisers of the Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) on Monday unveiled the much-awaited lineup of films for the second edition of the festival at a press conference held in Guwahati. Following the grand success of its maiden edition, the second edition of GAFF will be held from January 22 to January 25, 2026, at Jyoti Chitraban, Guwahati.
The festival is being organised by Trending Now Media, with support from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The opening film of GAFF 2026 will be the Uzbekistan feature ‘Sunday’, directed by Shokir Kholikov, while the closing film will be the Iranian feature ‘In the Land of Brothers’, directed by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli. This edition of the festival will be honoured by the presence of legendary Indian filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, who will grace the festival as its Chief Guest. Bollywood and Marathi film actress Sonali Kulkarni will be the Special Invited Guest for the closing ceremony.
Dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the diverse cinematic traditions of Asia, GAFF has emerged as a significant cultural platform contributing to the global appreciation of Asian cinema. The festival brings together filmmakers, critics, scholars, and audiences, fostering cross-cultural dialogue through the medium of film.
The inaugural edition of GAFF, held in February 2025, left a strong impression on the film festival circuit, attracting vibrant participation from across several Asian countries. Cine lovers were treated to a carefully curated showcase of Asian cinema, complemented by thought-provoking panel discussions and interactive sessions with filmmakers and critics.
Speaking on the occasion, Monita Borgohain, Honorary Festival Director of GAFF, said: “The overwhelming love we received from film lovers during our first edition inspired us to plan an even grander second edition. GAFF 2026 promises to be bigger and better, continuing its celebration of the rich diversity of Asian cinema, with more filmmakers from outside the region joining the event. We have received more than 200 film submissions, including 90 entries from outside India.”
The second edition of GAFF will showcase films from 10 Asian countries, including Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, Iran, Kazakhstan, and China. Alongside international selections, the festival will also present films from across India, with screenings in multiple languages such as Marathi, Bajjika, Malayalam, Hindi, Tulu, Nepali, Assamese, Karbi, Bodo, Mishing, Manipuri, and Bengali, highlighting the linguistic diversity of the region and the country.
The four-day festival will screen 26 films, including eight Competition entries, alongside a strong slate of international titles. In addition to film screenings, GAFF 2026 will feature a series of masterclasses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals from India and other Asian countries. These sessions aim to encourage deeper engagement with cinematic craft, storytelling traditions, and contemporary trends in Asian filmmaking.
Positioned as the only Asian film festival of its kind in this part of the country, GAFF has carved a unique space in India’s cultural landscape by bringing Asian cinema to the Northeast. The festival stands out for its focused Asian identity and its commitment to building a sustained platform for cross-border cultural exchange through cinema.
