Imphal, January 24 2010: Manipuri films have struck it rich this year by walking away with the lion's share of the honour at the 56th National Film Awards, 2008 and Mumbai International Film Festival, 2010, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Four persons from Manipur will be conferred the prestigious National Award at the 56th National Awards while ten films from Manipur will be screened at the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival in both the competitive and non-competitive categories.

For the first time in the history of Manipuri Cinema, the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) will be conferred on the film, 'AFSPA 1958,' directed by Haobam Paban Kumar and produced by BM Sunzu and Paban Kumar in the non-feature film category.

Noted critic, RK Bidur will be conferred the Best Critic Award in the 56th National Film Awards, 2008 .

In the other categories, BM Sunzu's film 'Shingnaba' has been conferred the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) for best adventure/sport film, while Elangbam Natasha will receive the best Narrator award for the film 'Sanakeithel.' President Pratibha Patil will give away the prizes in March this year.

The Swarna Kamal award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each for the producer and the director, the best critic award a cash prize of Rs 75 thousand and the Rajat Kamal medal carries a cash prize of Rs 50 thousand each for the producer and the director.

The Narration award carries a cash prize of Rs 50 thousand.

In another notable achievement, ten films from Manipur will be screened at the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival, 2010 .

In the competition section, Kh Bishwamitra's 'The Boiling Blood,' Bobby Wahengbam's 'Roshni,' Chaoba Thiyam's 'Eye of an I' Suvas E's 'The Sun is still not setting' and Bhumenjoy Konsam's 'Tiger Head' will be screened.

In the non-competition section and North East section, Oken Amakcham's 'Ratan Thiyam-The Man of Theatre,' Haobam Paban's 'Mr India,' Ronel Haobam's 'My Story-You and Me,' Romi Meitei's 'Cease Baby's Whimpering Cry' and A Priyobarta's 'Pung-Rhythm of Paradise' will be screened.

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