The Sangai Film Festival, 2022
James Khangenbam *
The Sangai Film Festival 2022, showcasing 8 features and 3 nonfiction films which won State awards was well received by audience.
Despite inconveniences in parking their vehicles due to Sangai Festival, cine lovers make their footfall at the Place Auditorium, MSFDS. The film festival that took place from 24 to 28th Nov, 2022 was unique in one way as it screened only films from the State. Perhaps the edition was specially aimed to boost local cinema.
Feature film 'Eikhoigi Yum' directed by Romi Meitei which won the best film award in the feature film category of MSFA 2022 was the opening film of the festival.
Recently the film has also won two prizes at the prestigious International Film Festival of Kerala.
Moreover, some of the films that won State awards had brought laurels for the state by winning national award, Indian Panaroma and becoming the opening film at the prestigious Mumbai International Film Festival besides winning multiple awards at the regional film festivals. While most of the films are still in the festival circuit.
Mention may be made that few years back manipuri feature film had reached its peak in terms of production by producing more than fifty films in a year on an average.
And most of the revenue were collected from DVD markets and cinema halls. But it has dwindled to almost approximately a maximum of ten films in a year.
The reason perhaps could be the outdated exhibition halls or the fact that Bheigya Chandra Open Air theatre is under repairing. Few years back the amphitheater which has a capacity of more than five thousand was the place where film premiere was held with a good source of revenue collection.
Yet it is quite curious as to how the film industry had a major setback, perhaps the producers were amateur or the contents of most of the films needs to be relooked. Locally television contents are sufficient in terms of Manipuri feature films and the film songs equally.
In a very recent development Imphal has also witnessed the opening up of two modern cinema theatres by private players. On an innovative edge newly release Manipuri film are being screened with a projector and sound system at the localities which is also becoming a good source of revenue collection. Above all, cine lovers of the State had to be in a patience mode until the film industry come back with a bang.
* James Khangenbam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at jameskhangenbam7(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on 19 January 2023.
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