The 2nd Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) is set to kick off from January 22 to 25, showcasing a diverse array of films from across Asia. The opening film will be the Uzbek feature ‘Sunday’, directed by Shokir Kholikov, marking an exciting start to the festival.
Festival organizers recently revealed the film lineup during a press conference at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio. GAFF Festival Director Monita Borgohain announced that the closing film will be the Iranian feature ‘In the Land of Brothers’, directed by Alireza Ghasemi and Raha Amirfazli.
Highlighting the festival’s prestige, the legendary Indian filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli will be the Chief Guest, while Bollywood and Marathi actress Sonali Kulkarni will serve as the Special Invitee Guest for the closing ceremony.
The lineup includes films from ten Asian countries, including Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and South Korea. Additionally, the festival will feature Indian films in various languages such as Marathi, Malayalam, Hindi, and more, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity of the region.
Over the four-day event, a total of 26 films will be screened, including eight competition entries alongside a selection of international titles. In addition to film viewings, GAFF 2026 will conduct masterclasses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions with industry professionals, thereby enriching the participating experience for attendees.
Positioned as a unique platform for Asian cinema in the northeastern part of India, GAFF is striving to expand its reach and impact. Monita Borgohain highlighted the overwhelming positive reception received during the festival’s inaugural edition, inspiring plans for an even more ambitious second edition.
This year’s festival has garnered over 200 film submissions, with around 90 entries coming from beyond India’s borders. GAFF 2026 is organized by Trending Now Media, receiving backing from the National Film Development Corporation and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India.
The advisory board consists of notable figures from the film industry, including recognized film critic Srinivasa Santhanam and National Award-winning filmmaker Manju Borah, enhancing the festival’s credibility and appeal.