Manipuri cinema in focus at IFFI-2O22, Goa
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 20 2022: Union information & broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday inaugurated the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Panaji in Goa.

To mark the golden jubilee of Manipuri cinema, the festival will showcase five feature and 10 non-feature films, curated by Manipur State Film Development Society under the Indian Panorama section.

Among the Manipuri feature films to be screened in the festival include 'Ishanou' (The Chosen One) of Aribam Syam Sharma.

A documentary on the life and works of theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam entitled 'Ratan Thiyam - the Man of the Theatre' will be among the 10 Manipuri non-feature films in the nine-day-long festival.

Manipuri film pioneers like Aribam Syam Sharma, Oken Amakcham, Nirmala Chanu, Borun Thokchom and Romi Meitei will attend the festival.

Conducted jointly by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the Goa IFFI would also feature retrospectives on Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Asha Parekh while Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura would be honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award.

Unlike in the past editions, EFFI-2022 has 13 film pavilions from 13 states including Manipur, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat apart from France and Russia pavilions.

The Festival kicked off with an exuberant opening ceremony at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa University with acclaimed film actors and eminent film personalities attending the event.

The opening ceremony was a historic and a moment of pride for Manipur as Union minister Anurag Singh Thakur announced that the festival will feature a special section for Manipuri Cinema to mark its golden jubilee celebration.

At least 10 Manipuri films, 5 each of feature and non-feature films will be showcased in the special section apart from the non-feature 'Beyond Blast' directed by Ratan Saikhom, which will be screened in Indian Panorama section.

Speaking during the inaugural function, Anurag Thakur announced that it is for the first time in the history of IFFI, Manipur is having a special section.

He pointed out that the first Manipuri film 'Matamgi Manipur' even went on to win the national film award.

The Union minister said that his vision is to make India the most sought after destination for film shoots and post-production backed by the talent of the people and innovation of industry leaders.

With the screening of opening feature film 'Ishanaou' directed by Padmashree award winning director Syam Sharma, and Ratan Thiyam; The Man of Theatre in non-feature film section along with other films, the cinema enthusiast will get a taste of rich cultural heritage, fierce storytelling, dance, music, traditions and theatres from the state of Manipur.

Feature films including 'Ishanaou', first film directed by a Manipuri 'Brojendragee Luhongba' directed by SN Chand, 'Loktak Lairembee' by Haobam Paban Kumar, first Manipuri film 'Matamgi Manipur' directed by Debkumar Bose, and 'Phijigi Mani' directed by Oinam Gautam haVe been curated by the MSFDS for screening in the special Manipuri cinema section.

Meanwhile in the non-feature category, films such as Ratan Thiyam: The Man of Theatre directed by Oken Amakcham and Nirmala Chanu, 'Ilisha Amagi Mahao' directed by Ningthouja Lancha, 'Look at the Sky directed by Ashok Veilou, 'The Silent Poet' directed by Borun Thokchom and 'The Tainted Mirror' directed by Romi Meitei will be screened.

Notably, this year's edition of IFFI also recorded the highest number of delegates from Manipur, over 20 in number, with many film makers, critics, officials coming for the film extravaganza.

For the first time, Manipur is also opening a pavilion at Film Bazaar organised alongside IFFI by the National Film Development Corporation, with the prime focus to lure both national and international film crew to come and shoot their film in the state to tap the enormous potential of film tourism.

At the 53rd IFFI, Manipur is the flag bearer of cinema in the northeast region with over 25 delegates making the strongest Manipur delegate in bet at IFFI, Goa, comprising filmmakers, Indian Panorama Jury, young creative minds, officials of the MSFDS, Film Forum Manipur, Cine Artistes & Technician Association, film critic, film journalist and film actors, led by MSFDS secretary.

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