Assamese films 'Romantic Affairs' and 'Aakuti' (Longing), directed by Monjul Baruah and Snigdha P Roy, respectively, have been selected for the competition section of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2026.
The two films feature among some of the leading titles this year, which include films such as 'Baksho Bondi', 'Victoria', 'Flowers of Acacia', 'Boong', and 'The Elysian Field'. All of these films have emerged as major contenders across categories.
'Romantic Affairs' has been nominated for the awards for Best Film and Best Actress (Kasvi Sonkorison), while 'Aakuti' has been nominated for Best Debut Film and Best Child Actor (Kavisha Mahanta).
Producer of 'Romantic Affairs', Sanjive Narain, wrote on Instagram, “With nominations for Best Film and Best Actress, this moment feels truly special. More than an achievement, it feels like a reminder of why we started this journey.”
“Grateful, overwhelmed, and excited for what lies ahead. This is just the beginning," wrote Tanuja P Roy, executive producer of 'Aakuti', on Facebook.
'Aakuti' traces the emotional journey of a child and the quiet, tender bond between a father and daughter as they try to sail through life, while 'Romantic Affairs' is a coming-of-age story of a young girl as she moves through tumultuous teenage years filled with choices and experiences that shape her identity.
Presented by the Indo-American Arts Council, NYIFF celebrates alternative and independent cinema from the global Indian community.
