'Sonam' makes successful inroads in National Geographic Fest

Guwahati, Aug 4 (UNI) 'Sonam', a debut venture from Arunachal Pradesh's film fraternity, has made it to the National Geographic All Roads Film Festival, braving all odds.

The festival is scheduled to be held from September 27 to 30 in Los Angeles,California and October 4 to 7 in Washington DC.

Since its inception in 2004, the film festival has provided a platform for showcasing the works of 'indegenous and under-represented' film makers from all over the globe. The festival promises to entertain the global audience with cutting-edge films, videos, a music concert, an art market and a photography exhibition.

According to official sources, the Rs 60 lakh film 'Sonam", won accolades from the screening committee.

Festival coordinator Monica Braine informed that the film was greatly appreciated by the screening committee, which is a big honour as this is the first film from an Indian state.

''I am delighted and all my work of the last 10 years has paid off,'' said Ahsun Mazid,the debut director-cum-brain behind this project.

''I knew the film will do well and I did expect it to enter Indian Panorama. But now the world is appreciating it,'' said Mr Mazid, an official of the Doordarshan.

Based on the popular Assamese novel 'Sonam', and shot in the backdrop of the lofty Tawang region(10,000 feet) of the Himalayas, the film depicts the life history of Monpas, a tribe inhabiting the high ranges of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China.

''What is most interesting is that except the lead actor who is from Sikkim, none of the other actors has ever seen a camera before,'' said Mr Mazid.

UNI