Capital to host Northeast film gala

Fragrances from the North East, a three-day festival of

cinema and entertainment from the country's northeast region, will be held here Aug 22-24.

Organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the extravaganza is scheduled to take place at the Siri Fort auditorium complex.

The festival will be attended by actors and directors from the region, including Jahnu Barua, Seema Biswas, Adil Hussain, Geetanjali Thapa, Abdul Majid, Mapuia Chongthu, Pradip Kurbah, Merlvin Mukhim, Oinam Gautam Singh, Tonthoi Bonny Sharma, Meena Debbarma, Tashi Lhamu, Tiainla Jamir and Prashant Rasaily, said a statement.

"Khawnlung Run", a film from Mizoram will open the fest, while "Ri" from Meghalaya will bring the curtains down on the gala, which will also include an exhibit of handicrafts from northeastern states, courtesy the Ministry of Culture.

With the support of the Lalit Kala Academy, there will also be an exhibition of paintings by artistes too. Add to that, a food court with northeastern cuisine.

Other films to be showcased at the fest include "Ajeyo" (Assam), "Phijigee Mani" (Manipur), "Yarwng" (Tripura), "Kathaa" (Sikkim), "Sonam" (Arunachal Pradesh) as well as documentary "Going the Distance" and short film "Bamboo Shoots" from Nagaland.

Providing a musical element to the opening and closing ceremonies will be Papon and East India Company; and internationally-acclaimed Naga pianist Nise Meruno and choir

group Nagaland Singing Ambassadors.

Entry to musical performance and cinemas will be free and on first come first basis.