IFFI provides scope to explore 'Unexplored Manipur'
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB

Imphal, November 26 2022: 'Manipur Unexplored', the pavilion of Manipur government at the ongoing 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa is attracting film-makers, actors, directors and producers who are desirous of shooting films in the state.

Many filmmakers are visiting the state pavilion for queries regarding facilities that the picturesque state would provide to them.

This year's edition of IFFI also celebrates the Golden Jubilee of Manipuri cinema.

On April 9, 1972, the first Manipuri feature film, 'Matamgi Manipur' was released.

It was directed by Debkumar Bose.

The journey of five decades of Manipuri cinema has been astounding and courageous, considering the resource-crunch, absence of investment on required technology and the lack of outreach mechanism to effectively reach out to the audiences.

For the first time at IFFI, to promote the film industries in their respective, several state governments installed their pavilions at the Film Bazaar.

States such as Bihar, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Puducherry have installed their respective pavilions.

The theme of the Manipur pavilion is 'Manipur Unexplored', which has been managed mainly by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) .

It calls out to budding filmmakers to explore the historical, archaeological, cultural and natural heritage of 'the land of jewel', Manipur.

The aim is to attract film-makers and develop the state as preferable film-making destination.

The pavilion showcases natural beauty such as the Loktak Lake and the Keibul Lamjao National Park which is the only floating national park in the world.

The pavilion also exhibits cultural wonders such as the Ima Market, which is the only market in the world run entirely by women.

MSFDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum highlighted that the Manipuri culture has rich tradition of story-telling.

He cited the example of 'Khongjom Parva' which is the century old ballad singing tradition.

In 2020, the Government of Manipur had come up with the state film-making policy which among others, aims to incorporate the interest of local people and stakeholders in the film-making process.

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