The Asam Film Society presented the first Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Lifetime Achievement Award to film critic, curator, author and organizer Premendra Mazumder at a ceremony held at JB University on 10th March,2026.

The biennial award, which carries a cash prize of ₹ One lakh, a trophy and a citation, was conferred on the anniversary of the commercial release of the first Assamese film, Joymoti, produced and directed by Jyotiprasad Agarwalla. 

Mr. Mazumder, Vice President of the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) and General secretary of FIPRESCI India, said that he was honoured to be chosen as the first recipient of an award instituted in honour of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Speaking in chaste Assamese, he added that he considered the award a recognition not of his activism alone, but of many others who had shared his journey in the film society movement. 

Dr. Jayanta Madhab Dutta, General Secretary of the Assam Film Society and an award-winning film director himself, said that it was a privilege for the society to honour a towering personality like Premendra Mazumder, who has served the cause of meaningful cinema for over five decades, besides having served in the jury of more than forty film festivals worldwide. 

Among the various portfolios held by Mr. Mazumder over the years are editor of E-Cine India (Quarterly Film journal), artistic director of SiGNS short and documentary film festival, Kerala, Programme Director of the Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai, Founder and Coordinator of the World Film Festival, Kolkata, and Chairman of the Bengal international Short Film festival. He also serves as advisor to the Jaffna International Film Festival, Sri Lanka, and the Nepal International Film Festival, Kathmandu. 

The event was organized in association with the Jagannath Barooah University Film Society Prof. Jyoti Prasad Saikia, Vice Chancellor of the university, Dr. Surajit Sharma, Academic Registrar, JBU, Rajeswar Saikia, President, Assam Film Society, Dr. Pranjal Borah, award-winning film critic and Manjul Baruah, award winning film director, were among those who spoke on the occasion. A lively dance performance based on Dr Bhupendra Hazarika’s “Asto Akaashore…” and a choral rendition of Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s “O’ Sakhi Aji…” were presented by students of JB University during the ceremony. The event was anchored by Dr. Deepanjali Baruah, joint coordinator of the JBU Film Society, while Dr Mushrifa Ibrahim delivered the vote of thanks.