Saikhom Ratan's 'Beyond Blast' selected for IFFI-Goa
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 22 2022:
Manipuri documentary film on Konthoujam Maikel Meitei, a bomb blast survivor, has made the cut for the prestigious Indian Panorama Official Selection (IPFS) paving the way for screening of the 52-minute long, Manipuri documentary film at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2022, to be held from November 20 to 28 in Goa.
The Indian Panorama is a flagship component of the IFFI.
In a release, MSFDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum informed that the jubilant news came on Saturday when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting made the announcement of the Indian Panorama Official Selection for this year's IFFI.
Kannada feature film 'Hadinelentu' will open the Indian Feature Film section while English language documentary 'The Show Must Go On' is the opening film of the non-feature film.
Out of 242 non-feature films that competed for the national selection, only 20 made it to the list.
From the northeast India, only two made the cut, namely 'Beyond Blast' (Manipur) and Kripal Kalita's 'Hatibondhu' (Assam).
In the feature film section, 354 feature films vied for the selection and only 25 made it to the official selection.
Director of 'Beyond Blast', Saikhom Ratan is an award winning freelance video journalist and a well-known Manipuri cinematographer and filmmaker having shot many award winning films.
The biographical documentary is produced by Konjengbam Sushila Leima, a prolific writer and film producer.
'Beyond Blast' is her second film that made to the Indian Panorama Official Selection.
Her 'Eigi Kona', a Manipuri feature film made the cut at 52th IFFI, 2021 .
Another feather in the cap of Manipuri cinema is that Manipuri filmmaker Oinam Doren will be heading the jury of the non-feature film of Indian Panorama as its chairperson, comprising five other members.
MSFDS congratulated Saikhom Ratan, K Sushila Leima and Oinam Doren for bringing such crowning glory for Manipur Cinema and doing the state proud.
Before the Indian Panorama selection 'Beyond Blast' won several awards at different prestigious film festivals.
It won 'Best Documentary Film in Social Issues' at the 14th Manipur State Film Awards 2022 organised by MSFDS, Directorate of Art & Culture; Official Selection at Sign International Film Festival Kerala, 2022; Official Selection at 13th Film South Asia (FSA), Nepal; Best Documentary (India) in Port Blair International Film Festival; Best Documentary (India) at Filmshor International film festival Kerala 2021 and Honourable Mention award in Reels International film festival 2021 Aurangabad.
'Beyond Blast' is based on a budding artist whose legs were amputated because of a bomb blast.
The aim of the Indian Panorama is to select feature and non-feature films of cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence in accordance with the conditions and procedure in the said regulations of Indian Panorama.
The selection of the Indian Panorama is made by eminent personalities from the world of cinema from across India comprising of a total of 12 jury members for feature films and six jury members for non-feature films led by the respective chairpersons.
The jury panels contribute evenly to the consensus that leads to the selection of Indian Panorama films of respective categories.
The package of non-feature films exemplifies the capacity of the emerging and established filmmakers to document, investigate, entertain and also reflect contemporary Indian values.
The Indian Panorama was introduced in 1978 as part of the IFFI umbrella to promote Indian films along with India's rich culture and heritage with the help of cinematic art.
Since its inception, the Indian Panorama has been completely devoted to showcasing the best Indian films of the year.
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