Manipur Film Convention Resolution on setting up of 3rd National Film and Television Institute

10th November, 2014:

3rd film Convention on 3rd film & Television Institute of India in Manipur on 9 Nov 2014 at MFDC organised by Television and Cine foundation, Manipur :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

MEMORANDUM
Draft Memorandum Points

Manipur Film Convention Resolution on setting up of the 3rd National Film and Television Institute in Manipur

The Public Convention on Film & Television, held on Sunday, November 9, 2014, at the complex of Manipur Film Development Corporation, Palace Compound Imphal from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM under the single agenda, "setting up of the 3rd Film & Television Institute of India in Manipur” was attended by around resource-persons, comprising eminent personalities of the State, representing varied fields, including films, scholastic, art & culture, theatre, performing arts, as well as bureaucrats and General Public.

While appreciating the recent announcement by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I & B), Govt of India to set up the country's third national film & television Institute, FTII, in one of the north eastern states, the significant gathering resolved to urge the Govt of India to consider history, achievements and future prospects of the Institute while awarding the prestigious national institution.

The August House also like to resolve to request Government of Manipur to commit to felicitate the proposed institute in Manipur by complying with all requirements for setting up of the 3rd FTII in Manipur, including land and other matters to expedite the process.

Further the Convention would like to resolve to present Manipur's case under the following merits:-

1) MANIPUR IS THE LARGEST FILM PRODUCER IN THE NORTHEAST REGION

As per the latest annual report of the Central Board of Film Certification, CBFC, Ministry of I & B, Govt of india, 43 Video Feature Films, 18 Video Short Films and one Celluloid feature film were certified from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011 from Manipur. Whereas in the same year, amongst the eight (8) north-eastern states, Assam, the second top film producer, could only produced 1 Video Feature Film, 9 Video Short Films and 7 Celluloid feature films while Mizoram produced only one Video Short Film.

Till October 2013, Manipur continues to occupy the top slot with CBFC certifying Films, comprising Video Feature Films, Video Short Films.

2) MANIPUR'S CONTRIBUTION TO INDIAN CINEMA

Manipur's experimentation with cinema started as early as 1936, documenting social cultural realities. Even as there were earlier attempts at producing feature films, it was only in 1972, Manipur could officially release its first completed Manipuri feature film, "Matamgi Manipur". Since then, Manipur has bagged 57 National Film Awards - 27 for feature films and 30 for non-feature (Short & Documentary) films till 2014. This tally makes Manipur the most awarded State amongst the eight (8) north eastern states (??).

Since 1972 as many as 25 films from Manipur, comprising feature and non-features, were selected for showcasing as the Best of Indian Cinema in Indian Panorama Section of the International Film Festival of India by the Directorate of Film Festival of India, DFFI, Ministry of I & B, Govt of India.

Besides several nationally awarded filmmakers like Aribam Syam Sharma, G Narayan Sharma, K Ibohal Singh, MA Singh, Oken Amakchan, Makhonmani Mongshaba, Lancha Ningthouja, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, Haobam Paban Kumar, Haobam Ronel, Oinam Guatam, Oinam Doren and Borun Thokchom, Manipur has also bagged national film awards in other categories such as Best Child Artistes (Leikhendra Singh), Special Jury Award for Acting (Anoubham Kiranmala Devi), Best Cinematography (Irom Maipak) and Best Supporting Actress, (Leishangthem Tonthoingambi).

Another milestone was RK Bidhur winning the 'Best Film Critic Awards' at the 56th National Film Awards, 2008.

Manipuri Filmmaker, Aribam Syam Sharma needs special mentioning for his outstanding achievements. He was conferred Padma Shri in 2006 for his immense contribution to Indian Cinema. He is also the recipient of 'Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award' (2008) for his unparallel contribution to Indian Cinema by the Films Division, Ministry of I & B, Govt of India.

Besides winning 15 National Film Awards, his feature film 'Imagi Ningthem" (My Son, My Precious) became the first Indian film to win the Grand Prix at the internationally acclaimed, 'Festival Des Trios Continents', Nantes, Frances in 1982. In the year 1989, his unconventional, non-feature film, "Sangai -The Dancing Deer of Manipur" was declared ''Outstanding Film of the Year" by the renowned British Film Institute, UK. His "Ishanou" attracted worldwide attention when it was officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival in 1991 in the "Un Certain Regard" Section, an unparallel feat in the north east region.

Over and above State Film makers winning 10 International Awards at critically acclaimed International Festivals, Manipuri Films have been invited/selected for participation in several International Festival such as Toronto International Film Festival, Munich Film Festival Germany

3rd film Convention on 3rd film & Television Institute of India in Manipur on 9 Nov 2014 at MFDC organised by Television and Cine foundation, Manipur :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

3) FILM CULTURE AND ROLE OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Film Culture took shops after the first Manipuri Documentary Film, "Hiyang Tannaba" was made in 1936. Prior to efforts at producing Manipuri feature films and after, Manipur was part of the vibrant Film Society Movement along with the rest of the country in 1960's-70's. As per present records, Manipur has 14 film related Guilds, representing different cine artistes & technicians such as Producers' Guild, Directors' Guild, Cinematographer's Guild, Film Actors & Actresses' Guild to Make-up Artistes Guild etc.

While the Manipur Government is finalizing the Film Policy for the State, encouragement for filmmaking came through State incorporated, 'Manipur Film Development Corporation Ltd', MFDC. So far, MFDC has conducted the eight (8) Manipur State Film

Festival till 2013, constituting several film excellence awards. In the last edition of the State Film Festival MFDC incorporated 'MFDC Lifetime Achievement Award' which was bestowed on Aribam Syam Sharma for his pioneering efforts and contribution.

MFDC also offer subsidies on celluloid productions and hires out expensive film and video equipments at a highly subsidised rate. Besides regularly conducting Film related workshops, Seminars and festivals, MFDC also funds delegates from the State in participating in the annual International Film Festival of India conducted by DFFI, Ministry of I & B, Government of India which bears testimony of State Government attention towards Film culture.

4) DIGITAL FILMMAKING IN MANIPUR

Manipur is the first Indian State to switch totally to digital filmmaking. Arrival of Video and HD Imaging technology did away the limitations of financing celluloid productions and small size of Market, providing Manipuri Filmmakers the platform for their expression. This new age technology made filmmaking affordable, providing gainful employment for many.

It was the Manipuri Filmmakers who impressed upon the Directorate of Film Festival, DFFI, Ministry of I & B, Govt of India to update its policy by legitimizing the Video Format as entries for national excellence awards in cinematic craft along with the celluloid format from the year………

Manipur has since then bagged National Film Awards, including two Swarna Kamalin the non-feature and Film Critic Categories in 2008 and Best Supporting Actress in the feature film in 2012 Films were nominated from Manipur in the Indian Panorama Section of the International Film Festival of India.

3rd film Convention on 3rd film & Television Institute of India in Manipur on 9 Nov 2014 at MFDC organised by Television and Cine foundation, Manipur :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

5) 3RD FTII'S UNIQUE PROSPECTS IN MANIPUR

Setting up the 3rd Film & Television Institute of India in Manipur will revolutionize the budding film industry by infusing formal knowledge, skills and professionalism and provide the much needed direction Manipur Film enterprises currently lacks. So far Manipuri Films is yet to evolve its own identity in Film Arts, primarily due to lack of formal and theoretical knowledge. The proposed Institute will replicate the well known success of Manipur in Sports that came after setting up of the regional centre of Sports Authority of India in the State.

Given Manipuris' inborn desire to express and vibrant history of cinema, the proposed Institute will enjoy the leverage of willing talents coming forward to get skilled, thereby the intended goals of the 3rd FTII be easily realized and become a fertile ground to train young talents in Film & Television Arts.

Manipur's established art forms and culture would add impetus to the teaching and learning process of filmmaking.

Availability of skilled human capital will aid in building up the human resource for the Institute. Currently, the growing Film producing enterprises in the State, directly or indirectly, employ over thousand persons in production, exhibition and distribution of Films. The Institute will largely contribute in widening the employability and up-skilling of latent talents.

6) GROWTH, CONNECTIVITY AND INTERNATIONAL REACH OF 3rd FTII

Geo-strategic location of Manipur is an added advantage for the proposed institute. Manipur is considered the gateway to South East Asia and is attracting lots of International attention in terms of trade, commerce, tourism and academics. Setting up the 3rd FTII in Manipur will enlarge its scope of becoming an international centre of learning Film & Television Arts.

Manipur is well connected with national as' well as international cities with Imphal International Airport. This connectivity through surface and air, both nationally and with the whole of South East Asia will make the proposed Institute gain national and international exposure.

In terms of regional connectivity, Manipur is well connected by road with Nagaland, Mizoram and South Assam. Manipur has direct air-connectivity with Tripura, Mizoram and Assam.

The proposed FTII in Manipur can play a vital connecting link with immediate neighbours like Myanmar through exchange programmes and thus help in taking forward Government of India's 'Action East Policy'. This w:il give another dimension to the proposed Institute future scalability and international reach.

The convention hereby urge to consider the merits deliberated and as highlighted in the memorandum, submitted for your judicious action in setting up the 3rd Film and Television Institute of India in Manipur.

(Padma Shree Aribam Syam Sharma)
President, the Convention on Setting of 3rd FTII in Manipur