State Film Fest-2013:: Are organizers involved in film-fixing?
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 18 2013: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi inaugurated the 8th Manipur State Film Festival-2013 being organized by Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) at its multipurpose auditorium here today.

Sadly, many young and talented film-makers, who have received accolades at various national and international film festivals, have expressed displeasure at the selection procedure of films for the festival.

They expressed apprehension that the organizers might have "fixed" the selection procedure.

The films, which have been appreciated by the national and international audiences, are rejected in this State film festival while the films made by some members in the organising committee of the festival have been selected for screening.

The organizers of this festival are discouraging the film-makers instead of promoting them, the film-makers lamented, while demanding an explanation from the side of MFDC at the earliest possible.

They have also warned of filing an RTI to dig out the truth of the matter.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi inaugurated the 8th Manipur State Film Festival-2013

The award-winning films which have been rejected by the Selection Committee of Manipur State Film Festival-2013 include Aribam Syam Sharma's Leipaklei and O Gautam's Phijigi Mani in feature films section while Borun Thokchom's The Silent Poet, Sonia Nepram's Gun and God, Bishwamitra's Boiling Blood , RK Lalmani's Coma, RK Jnanaranjan's Indigenous Musical Instrument of Manipur and Saikhom Ratan's SOS in non-feature films section.

The film festival which is set to go on till December 24 will screen a total of 9 feature films, reportedly selected from among 40 entries.

Among the non-feature film category, 12 films have been selected for screening out of 31 entries.

Ironically, speaking at the inaugural function, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi proclaimed that the State Government is planning to frame a long-term policy to promote and encourage those film-makers who have won national and international awards either by offering government jobs or cash incentives.

The Chief Minister advised the Commissioner of Art & Culture Department, Director of MFDC, eminent personalities and experts in the field of films to submit a proposal to the Government with regard to the film policy.

Ibobi further said that Manipur is recognized by the world for its rich art and culture and excellence in games and sports.

There is need to encourage those people who excel in the field of art and culture.

The policy for art and culture once finalized would give an impetus to promoting the State's art and culture to the whole world.

The recognition of Sankirtana as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO is also a big achievement for the State in the field of art and culture, he noted.

The inaugural function was also attended by Commissioner of Art and Culture Dr RK Nimai as President, while eminent film-maker Aribam Syam Sharma and actor Kangabam Tomba attended as Guests of Honour.

.R.KNimai said that a total of 49 awards would be presented during the festival, including 26 in feature film category and 16 in non-feature film section.

Besides these, two awards would be presented for best writing in Manipuri cinema (author and publisher), one awards for Best Film Critic and a Manipuri State Lifetime Achievement Awards for film, he mentioned.

As part of the festival, experts would deliver talks on various topics like problems and prospects of feature films and non-feature films, Manipuri film musing, Manipuri films and its market, story and screenplay, he added.

The dignitaries also paid floral tribute to the departed film personalities of the State during the occasion.