Three-day Nagaland CineFest, organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), in association with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting commenced on December 6 at the Bamboo Hall, Naga Heritage Village Kisama.
Satinder Kumar Bhalla, Secretary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), who graced the inaugural as the chief guest, underscored the profound power of cinema in his address. He reflected that while life is often termed a drama, cinema holds a unique importance in expressing it—a role powerfully highlighted by hosting the CineFest during the Hornbill Festival. He commended the government of Nagaland for this initiative.

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Bhalla stressed that cinema transcends mere entertainment, possessing the potential to profoundly impact today’s youth. For Generation Z, equipped with social media tools like reels for creating short films, cinema becomes a potent force for personal and cultural expression, he stated. The official further highlighted the Northeast’s rich tradition of storytelling, which deeply engages the young, and emphasised cinema’s ultimate power as a medium for individuals and communities to voice their narratives.
Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by Kusa Fithu, Additional Secretary, IPR. The event featured screenings of the films The Last Catch, directed by Lima Sanglir, and Feeling From The Past, directed by Jepito H Zhimo.