Anupam Kaushik Borah’s directorial debut Bornodi Bhotiai won the best film while Monjul Baruah was named the best director for Kaaneen at the fourth edition of Sailadhar Baruah Memorial Film Awards, announced on Wednesday.

Films from Assam and Manipur dominated the awards which, for the first time, included films from the entire Northeast.

The best screenwriter award went to Rajni Basumatary for Bodo language film, Jwlwi, The Seed.

Bhaskar Hazarika-directed Aamis won all three awards in the three categories for which it was nominated — best actor (female) for Lima Das, best music for Quan Bay and best sound design for Gautam Nair.

Manipuri film Laman Ama won in two categories — best cinematography for Arjun Ningthemcha and best art direction for Sanad Aribam.

Best actor (male) went to Arun Hazarika for his role in Gobardhan Sorit.

A jury special mention was given to three child actors — Maharnav Mahanta, Rishiraj Baruah and Gia Baruah for Xhoixobote Dhemalite directed by Bidyut Kotoky. Papori Saikia, for her role in Assamese film Pokhilar Pakhi, also got jury special mention.

There are 10 categories of awards.

Mrinmoy Baruah, president of the Sailadhar Baruah trust, said they received altogether 15 films from the region.

“We are happy to announce the awards today. This year, we are covering the entire Northeast. We hope to continue like this and grow bigger in the days to come,” said Baruah.

The five-member jury team, led by veteran filmmaker Gautam Bora, comprised National Award-winning filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar, sound designer Jatin Sarmah, film critic and journalist Munin Bayan and actress Zerifa Wahid.

Ranjit Das, secretary of the trust, said the award ceremony would be held on January 10 next year, the death anniversary of Sailadhar Baruah.

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shaji N. Karun will be present at the award ceremony, among others. The best film will also be screened on that day.

Sailadhar Baruah was a prominent filmmaker of the state, who, along with Jahnu Barua, made several award-winning films

which included Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (The Catastrophe) and Xagoroloi Bohudoor (It’s a Long Way to the Sea) and brought laurels for the state. He is also the first producer from the region to win the Golden Lotus. Baruah passed away in 2010.