Guwahati: Assamese feature film Moi Eti Nixhasor has brought international recognition to Assam by winning two prestigious honours at the Houston International Film Festival in Texas, USA.

The film received the Platinum Remi Award for Best Film, while editor Pallavi Kotoky won the Gold Remi Award for Best Editor at the globally recognised Houston WorldFest. The film was also the only Indian feature film among entries from 22 countries at the festival.

Directed by acclaimed Assamese filmmaker Bidyut Kotoky, the film had its world premiere at the festival and received appreciation from audiences and critics alike. Co-screenwriter Josh Rafelson was also present during the screening.

Speaking after receiving the awards, Bidyut Kotoky described the film as a dark Assamese comedy about a village thief trying to earn an honest living. He said the response at Houston showed that the character had “stolen the hearts of the audience”.

The film is based on a true story written by noted Assamese author Anuradha Sarma Pujari and produced by the National Film Development Corporation along with Red River and Blue Hills. The story explores themes of resilience, prejudice and moral conflict against the backdrop of rural Assam.

Houston WorldFest, founded in 1961, is regarded as one of the world’s oldest independent film festivals. Over the years, it has recognised filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Ang Lee.

Earlier, Moi Eti Nixhasor had also won the Award of Excellence – Special Mention at the Accolade Global Film Competition and was officially selected for the Covellite International Film Festival in Montana, USA.

The film stars Pranjal Saikia, Arun Nath, Gunamoni Baruah, Dorothy Bharadwaj and several other actors from Assam.