Haryanvi Film ‘Muawza’ Opens International Film Festival at SUPVA - 16 films screened on Day One; filmmaker Ashwini Chaudhary conducts master class

Rohtak, September 19, 2026: The two-day International Film Festival of HIFA (IFFH) opened at Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLC SUPVA) on Saturday with a screening of the Haryanvi film Muawza. Organised by the Haryanvi Innovative Film Association (HIFA), the festival is being hosted with support from SUPVA and will conclude with an awards ceremony on Sunday evening.

The festival began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, Vande Mataram and a presentation of the university anthem, followed by the release of the festival catalogue. SUPVA Registrar Dr Gunjan Malik Manocha and Dean Academic Affairs Dr Ajay Kaushik welcomed the guests with shawls and mementoes.

Festival chairman and actor Yashpal Sharma, actor-producer-writer Sumitra Hooda Pednekar, actor Asha Hooda, National Award-winning filmmaker Rajiv Bhatia and actor-producer Vandana Bhatia were among the film personalities present.

Screenings began at the Mini Auditorium of the Faculty of Film and Television with Ranjit Chauhan’s 53-minute Muawza, followed by the Malayalam film Malavazhi. A total of 16 films across languages and genres were screened on the first day, including Sanjhi, Wada, Sangi, Khelunga, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Guchak – The Hole, Dissidents and Les. The second edition of SUPVA’s newsletter Abhivyakti was also released.

Actor Anoop Lathar, writer Dr Rajendra Gautam, HIFA president Janardan Sharma, actor-director Rampal Balhara, Haryanvi actor Raju Maan, Dr Mahasingh Poonia, Anshul Pathania, Leela Saini, Raghuvendra Malik and filmmaker-director Jagbir Rathi were among those attending.

The festival will conclude on Sunday with awards for outstanding films and talent in various categories. KM Pandurang, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department, will be the chief guest.

Master class on the Craft of Filmmaking

Filmmaker Ashwini Chaudhary conducted a master class covering story development, screenplay, character building, camera language, casting and direction. He stressed that a strong story and clear understanding of the subject form the foundation of good cinema. Responding to participants’ questions, Chaudhary encouraged young filmmakers to keep learning and experiment with new ideas.