March 16th, Aizawl: The inaugural event began with a welcome address delivered by Mrs. Betsy Zothanpari Sailo, Secretary of IPR, P&S. Adding significant weight to the ceremony, Ms. Gouri Nair, Head of Domestic Film Festivals for the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), was also present. In her brief address, she highlighted the growing attention and appreciation that regional cinema is currently receiving on central platforms. Furthermore, the acclaimed actress and theatre director, Mrs. Lillete Dubey, was present as a Special Guest, and also delivered a short speech to the audience.
The opening function was held at the I&PR Lianchhiari Run Mini Theatre. This space, along with the main auditorium, will serve as the primary venues for screening and viewing the festival's cinematic offerings.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister B. Lalchhanzova offered strong words of encouragement to local creators. He urged Mizo filmmakers not to be discouraged by perceived language barriers, noting that their core intentions and efforts are what matter most. Emphasizing that expressing one's innate creativity in a meaningful way is paramount, he urged filmmakers not to feel inferior or discouraged.
During the Mizoram Film Festival, both regular feature films and documentaries will be showcased. The 2026 edition of the festival has received film submissions from across various Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. Over the course of the three-day event, a diverse selection of these documentary and feature films will be screened for audiences.