Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Bengaluru International Short Film Festival selected the 20-minute Assamese short Martya for its Women’s Cinema Collective Competition in 2026. This festival holds the distinction of being India’s only Oscar-qualifying short film event. Pragya Parmita directed the project, teaming up with co-director Uday Patar to craft a story shot in and around Guwahati. The film examines human relationships and the friction between hope and reality. It matters to the director personally. Pragya Parmita dedicated the work to her late father, Mani Medhi.
Martya boasts a cast featuring veteran actress Bina Baruwati, who marks 50 years in the industry, and actor Dulal Roy. The crew includes cinematographer Sarpil Nandan Deka and editor Dheeraj Majumdar. National Award-winning sound designer Debajit Gayan handled the audio, while Dr. Sourav Mahanta composed the score. The film has already appeared at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, the 18th Jaipur International Film Festival, the 9th New Delhi Film Festival, and the 9th South Asian Short Film Festival in Kolkata.
The selection highlights the growing reach of independent Assamese cinema. It marks a shift for Pragya Parmita as she moves from acting into filmmaking. Reflecting on the impact of these stories, festival organizers noted the film demonstrates how "intimate stories from Assam can find resonance far beyond their immediate cultural setting." The film’s presence at BISFF 2026 cements its standing within the Indian independent circuit.
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