A look back at the 53rd International Film Fest of India, Goa
- Part 2 -

AC Netrajit *

The Manipuri films which were screened in this festival are the following : as for the feature film,
Brojendragi Luhongba directed by SN Chand,
Loktak Lairembi directed by Haobam Paban,
Matamgi Manipur directed by Dev Kumar Bose,
Phijigee Mani directed by Oinam Gautam,
as for the non-feature film,
Ilisa Amagi Mahao directed by Ningthoujam Lancha,
Look At The Sky directed by Ashok Veilon,
The Silent Poet directed by Borun Thokchom,
The Tinted Mirror directed by Romi Meitei .

S.N. Chand is considered as the Father of Manipuri Cinema. He was the first to direct a feature film in Manipuri, called Brojendragee Luhongba, 1972. With his knowledge of Italianeo-realism during the new wave of Indian Cinema, he based his Film on the short story penned by Dr. Lamabam Kamal, the great Manipuri Poet.

Haobam Pabankumar's films and documentaries have been screened globally. His debut feature film Loktak Leirembee won the National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation 2017 and was the German Star of India at the 14th Indian Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany 2017. Paban Kumar's documentary AFSPA 1958 in 2006 was highly critical and widely appreciated film across the globe on the harsh reality of the ill effects of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 in Manipur.

Oinam Gautam is a director and editor working in Manipuri Films. He is a successful filmmaker in Manipuri Cinema and is the recipient of many awards including a National Film Award for his 2011 movie Phijigee Mani. Gautam has worked with eminent film personalities like Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham and has been part of the Jury of the Indian Panorama 2014.

Ningthouja Lancha is an award winning film and theatre Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Music Director and Playwright. He has directed more than 17 films and documentaries mostly that reflect the issues, culture and heritage of Manipur and India's Northeast.

His film Nongdi Tarak-khidre was screened at Open Frame, 2003 and Indian Panorama 2004, Ilisha Amagi Mahao was selected for Indian Panorama 2009 and Mami Sami his first feature film was screened at various film festivals.

Borun Thokchom is a national award winning filmmaker and has more than a decade of experience in television journalism. He worked as a cinematographer for NHK World, Japan for a documentary series on the WW II titled Battle of Imphal. His latest documentary film I RISE produced by the Films Division Mumbai has been screened at various national and international Film Festivals and won several awards.

Romi Meitei is an award winning filmmaker. His films have been screened at Prestigious Film festivals including Indian Panorama, MAMI, IFFK, MIFF and others and he is a recipient of several state film awards.

Ashok Veilon is an indigenous film maker from the Poumai Naga tribe in Manipur. He completed his Post graduation in Direction and Screenplay Writing from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Kolkata, India. Shri Ashok Veilon who participated as a director of his Manipuri Film is a tribal film maker. Indeed, there was a consideration to honour him in a reception.

As a part of the festival there was the performance of the FILM BAZAAR for five days in the Marriott Resort of Goa. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon'ble Minister, Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India had inaugurated the Film Bazaar. Anurag Singh Thakur said that India has a rich history, cultural heritage and legacy especially in the context of art and cinema which is proven by the record number of films produced every year.

Film Bazaar market place is an international platform for talented filmmakers, film distributors, sales agents and international Film Festivals for showcasing cinematic excellence relevant to the context of their countries. Whether it is market screenings for film distribution or intensive closed-room sessions for Producers and Film makers, the Bazaar is a unique shared common ground where talent meets opportunities.

Shri Ravinder Bhakar, Managing Director, National Film Development Cooperation said that this year you will experience a bouquet of interesting co-production projects, panel discussions, market screenings and film projects in more than 36 languages including some very rare languages like Gondi, Madiya, Kodava, Kullvi, Tangkhul, Santhali, Bodo and Chittagonian.

Adding to the dynamic line up of programs conducted at Film Bazaar a new program Book to Box Office has been introduced for Book adaptations to bridge the gap between film makers looking for content and stories getting printed in books. In celebration of Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav special Pavilion Zones have been created for countries, states and industry players to exhibit their filming locations and services.

The Manipur Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Armstrong Panmei, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. In his inaugural speech, he had given his heart-felt expression that the Manipuri film makers must work hard with the objective to produce historic films. He further stated that he would be contributing his efforts to get rightful claims cleared from the Ministry.

In fact, the credit for opening of the Manipur Pavilion in this festival should go to Shri Armstrong Panmei, who was extending his endeavour in the interest of Manipur. Therefore all the members present in the pavilion express that the name of Shri Panmei should not be forgotten.

It is really an unforgettable fact that Manipur State Film Development Society, Information and Public Relation Department, Govt. of Manipur and Cine Artists and Technician Association (CATA) had extended their maximum help to open the Film Bazaar which was held recently. In the meantime, in commemoration of the 50th Year Anniversary of Manipuri Cinema, a Pavilion was opened here simultaneously.

In fact, it was due to the effort made Shri Meghachandra Kongbam, National Film Critic Awardee. In this Shri Alexendar Leo Pou, Eastern Regional Officer, National Film Development Coorperation (NFDC) had also contributed to organize the Pavilion. Shri Amstrong Pamei, IAS had appreciated both the renowned figures for this purpose.

Another important thing is that all the participants of Film Bazaar and Manipur Pavilion were really thankful to Shri B. Sanzu, Secretary, Manipur State Film Development Society and Longjam Kishan District Information Officer, Directorate of Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Manipur for their struggle to bring interaction programmes with different producers, directors, film makers and film lovers of several countries and regions regarding the peculiarities of beauty, nature and landscape of Manipur as well as remarkable standard of Manipuri cinema.

In the meantime it is suggested that there should be arrangements for distribution of Pendrives with the shot of short clips of several Manipuri films as a part of publicity of the 50th Year Manipuri Cinema commemoration. Now we have got enough time. Several Film Festivals are usually held in several parts of the country from time to time. And the journey of the 50th Year Manipuri Cinema also goes on.

As a part of the festival, one exhibition of film technology was held in the football ground opposite to Goa Kala Akademi, Panaji. This exhibition had given immense helps to the film makers and activists of film in technical lines.

All movie tickets are released two days prior to the screening at 8 a.m. Ticket booking is possible online, on the MYIFFI web portal and the IFFI GOA Mobile app. The Festival has three helpdesks with volunteers to assist delegates at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) entrance gate. Panjim Multiplex box office and Porvorium Multiplex box office.

There are 10 Buses and 16 Autorickshaws (with the IFFI banners) have been distributed across the festival venues (Panjim, Porvorium and Marriott). All these facilities are free for registered delegates.

The 9-Day Festival was concluded in the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa University. The jubilant programme of the concluding function was performed glamorously with the presence of Dr.Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa; Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon'ble Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Dr. L. Murugan, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India.

Concluded....