The three-day Lemchan–Mizoram Film Festival 2026 was inaugurated on Monday at the I&PR Office, Treasury Square, Aizawl. The festival is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), and the Directorate of Information & Public Relations.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Mini Theatre, Treasury Square, and was attended by several dignitaries. Mizoram’s Minister for Information, Public Relations, Printing & Stationery, B. Lalchhanzova, graced the occasion as the chief guest.
In his address, the minister described the festival as Mizoram’s first-ever major film festival. He noted that the state possesses immense creative talent and said the event would provide a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their work and present Mizo stories to a wider audience. He also stressed the importance of collaboration among filmmakers and creative professionals.
Highlighting the significance of cinema, Lalchhanzova said films are powerful mediums that entertain, educate, and create livelihood opportunities, particularly for young people. He expressed hope that filmmakers, artists, and participants would benefit from the festival and that such initiatives would contribute to the growth of Mizoram’s film industry.
Earlier, IPR&P Secretary Betsy Zothanpari Sailo delivered the welcome address. She appreciated the Directorate of Information & Public Relations for organising the festival and thanked film experts from across India for their participation.
Renowned Bollywood personality Lillete Dubey also addressed the gathering. She spoke about the enduring influence of cinema and music, noting their ability to transcend generations and connect people across cultures and languages.
Gouri Nair, Head of Domestic Film Festival at NFDC, expressed hope that the festival would act as a catalyst for the development of the film industry in Mizoram and the wider Northeast region.
The festival will continue from March 16 to 18, 2026, at the I&PR Office, Treasury Square. It will feature learning sessions with film experts, screenings of selected films from different states as well as Mizo films, and participation from film professionals from various parts of the country.
