2 Nagaland filmmakers attend 29th Busan International Film Festival

Two Nagaland filmmakers, Kekhriezhazo Miachieo and Yapangnaro Longkumer, reached Busan on October 5 to be a part of the Busan International Film Festival. The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia’s largest cinematic event, kicked off its 11-day run on October 2 with the opening ceremony. This year’s gala features 224 films from 63 countries, showcased across 26 screens in five theaters: CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, Mega Box Busan Theatre, and the Theatre of the Korean Film Council.

The opening movie is the Netflix historical epic “Uprising,” directed by Kim Sang-man and produced by Park Chan-wook, who also helped write the screenplay. This film is the first from an over-the-top platform to open BIFF.
This year’s guests include Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the Asian Filmmaker of the Year, who will screen his works “Serpent’s Path” and “Cloud,” both released this year; Miguel Gomes, director of “Joyful Melancholy”; and Ann Hui, an icon among the new wave of Hong Kong directors.

Other sideline events include “open talks” with directors and cast members of invited films and “outdoor stage greetings.” BIFF will conclude on October 11 with the closing work “Spirit World.”

There are two filmmakers from each of the northeastern states, making up the contingent from the National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Kekhriezhazo Miachieo and Yapangnaro Longkumer are representing Nagaland at the festival.

Kekhriezhazo Miachieo is an award-winning photojournalist and documentary filmmaker based in Kohima. His work focuses on human interest stories. He has worked with Hindustan Times and India Today in New Delhi and contributed to various international media houses. He has also produced video documentaries for several organizations in India.

Yapangnaro Longkumer is a documentary filmmaker from Nagaland. After completing her Master’s degree at the Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, she worked as a cinematographer for NDTV. After a three-year stint with the Mass Communication Centre at Nagaland University, she ventured into documentary filmmaking. She has completed more than 30 documentaries and PSAs (Public Service Announcements), some of which have been featured in film festivals in India and abroad. She was also a jury member for the Mumbai International Film Festival (Eastern Zone).

MT