Guwahati: Assamese film Ishu has bagged the special jury award in the Indian competition section of the 10th Bengaluru International Film Festival, which concluded on Thursday.

Helmed by film critic Utpal Borpujari, Ishu looks at the inhuman practice of witch-hunting prevalent in Assam through the eyes of a child whose favourite aunt is branded a "witch" by the village bej (quack) in conspiracy with another aunt.

The festival began on February 22. The results were announced and the awards handed over on Thursday.

According to the jury, Ishu was chosen for the award "for a vivid portrayal of how indigenous communities confront and overcome their barbaric practices from within. The film also looks at the interface of tradition and modernity avoiding hierarchical categories".

The film is produced by the Children's Film Society, India. Ishu, the debut feature film of Borpujari, was adapted from Assamese novelist Manikuntala Bhattacharjya's novel by the same name.

"It is an honour for the Assamese film industry. Despite being a children's film, Ishu succeeded in bagging the award in the general category where many high quality films were showcased. This is a boost to my morale," Borpujari said.

The film uses sand animation to depict two folk tales that are told to the child by his aunt and grandmother.

The dialogue, emphasising how the Rabha people living near Goalpara speak Assamese, has been written by Borpujari in collaboration with award-winning theatre director Sukracharjya Rabha of Badungduppa Kala Kendra of Rampur, Agia.

The film stars two-time National Award-winning actor Bishnu Kharghoria and National Award-winning Manipuri actress Tonthoingambi Leishangthem Devi, along with veterans Chetana Das and Pratibha Choudhury. Talented young actors like Monuj Borkotoky, Dipika Deka and Nibedita Bharali have also acted in the film along with Mahendra Das, Rajesh Bhuyan, Naba Kumar Baruah and Monuj Gogoi.