Panel discussion on "New North East Cinema and Film Schools" held
Source: The Sangai Express / PIB

Imphal, November 27 2025: A panel discussion on "New North East Cinema and Film Schools" was held at Kala Academy Auditorium on the 8th day of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa 2025 .

The session highlighted the transformative role of film schools in shaping the region's filmmakers and storytelling traditions.

Leading voices from North East India shared personal journeys, experiences, and insights on the evolving landscape of cinema in the region.

The discussion was moderated by Dominic Sangma.

Haobam Paban Kumar, a veteran filmmaker from Manipur, shared his journey of navigating the challenges of formal film education in the 1990s .

Panel discussion on "New North East Cinema and Film Schools" held

At a time when only two major institutions existed - FTII Pune and SRFTI Kolkata - aspiring filmmakers from the North East faced immense competition and limited opportunities, Paban said, recounting his six-year journey to gain admission to SRFTI, during which he also apprenticed under legendary filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma.

He reflected on how this rigorous training helped him refine his craft, develop a critical cinematic perspective, and understand the nuances of narrative storytelling.

Despite the progress over the years, he emphasized that filmmakers from North East India still strive for recognition and platforms to showcase their work.

He shared that his own community from his film institute helped him building his career.

Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap, an Assamese filmmaker spoke about how his time at SRFTI profoundly reshaped his vision as a filmmaker.

Reema Borah, also a filmmaker from Assam, shared how FTII nurtured her cinematic sensibilities and personal growth, even as she navigated the absence of North-East cinema in formal curricula.

She highlighted that despite the region's rich cinematic history from Ishanou to Ganga Siloni Pakhi, and pioneering Assamese films dating back to 1935-North-East cinema has long remained underrepresented in National discourses.

Borah praised the establishment of a new film institute in Arunachal Pradesh, describing it as a vital step in bringing the languages, traditions, and narratives of the North-East to broader audiences.

Dominic Sangma, serving as the moderator, framed the discussion within the broader context of storytelling and education.

Drawing on his roots in oral storytelling traditions, Sangma emphasized that exposure to global cinema challenged and expanded his perception of narrative structures.

He underscored that the most compelling stories often arise from an intimate understanding of one's culture, landscape, and community.

Film education, according to Sangma, provides filmmakers with the technical skills, theoretical grounding, and confidence to translate these stories onto the screen effectively.

The discussion concluded with a shared acknowledgment that film schools play an indispensable role in nurturing talent, preserving cultural identity, and empowering North-East filmmakers to create cinema that resonates both locally and globally.

It also highlighted the need for continued investment in infrastructure, mentorship, and platforms to amplify the voices of North East storytellers.