Big Moment for Manipuri Cinema, Gets Spl Section at IFFI 2022 to Mark its Golden Jubilee Year

It was a historic and proud moment for Manipur as the state got a special section at the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2022 to mark golden jubilee celebration of Manipuri Cinema.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur announced that it is for the first time in the history of IFFI that Manipur is having a special section.

At least 10 Manipuri films, 5 each of feature and non-feature films will be showcased at the special section apart from the non-feature ‘Beyond Blast’ which will be screened at the Indian Panorama section.
The 10 films have been curated by Manipur State Film Development Society under the Indian Panorama section.

Among the Manipuri feature films to be screened at the festival are ‘Ishanou’ (The Chosen One) of Aribam Syam Sharma. A documentary on the life and works of theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam entitled ‘Ratan Thiyam – the Man of the Theatre’ will be among the 10 Manipuri non-feature films in the nine-day-long festival.

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Manipuri film pioneers like Oken Amakcham, Nirmala Chanu, Borun Thokchom and Romi Meitei will attend the festival.

Meanwhile, Aribam Syam Sharma will not be able to attend the festival due to health issue.

The Manipur film industry that started its journey in 1972 with Matamgi Manipur, the first Manipuri feature film, had produced over 45 films in its glourious 50 years journey.

Matamgi Manipur directed by Debkumar Bose had won the President’s medal at the 20th National Film Awards.

The 53rd IFFI kicked off on November 20 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa University with acclaimed film actors including Ajay Devgan and Suniel Shetty among other eminent film personalities attending the evening.

The Union Minister said that his vision is to make India the most sought after destination for film shoots and post-production backed by the talent of the people and innovation of industry leaders.

IFFI 2022 has 13 film pavilions from 13 states including Manipur, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat apart from the France and Russia pavilions.