The Film Society of Manipur will organise the 1st ONLINE CELEBRATION OF MANIPURI CINEMA on the theme-Know Your Filmmaker from August 31 – 26 September 2020 with the objective to know and understand the life and the work of filmmakers of Manipur.

On every Monday, two important works of filmmakers will be made online free for a week. And on the weekends there will be an Exclusive Live Talk with the filmmaker. The filmmaker will reply to any query placed by the registered delegates. Any film enthusiasts can take part in this event free with the registration in advance. This first edition of the online celebration of Manipuri Cinema will start with the following filmmakers – Dr Makhonmani Mongsaba, Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma, Ningthoucha Lancha and Sunzu Bachaspatimayum.

In the first session two nationally acclaimed films namely Chatledo Eidi (2000) and Magi Matambakta (2018) directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba will be available online from 31 August for a week. Then there will be an Exclusive Live Talk with the filmmaker Dr Makhonmani Mongsaba conducted by Bobby Wahengbam, filmmaker and national award winning film author on Saturday 5 September 2020 at 4 pm followed by the filmmaker’s reply to the questions of the registered delegates.

Dr. Makhonmani Mongsaba is an eminent filmmaker who received National Award for his film- Chatledi Eidi (2000). His films- Yenning Amadi Likla (2007) participated in the International Film Festival of India 2007 in Indian Panorama Section, Nangna Kappa Pakchade (2013) in Delhi International Film Festival 2014 and Ladakh International Film festival 2014 and Magi Matambakta (2018) in Bengaluru International Film Festival 2018 and Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai in 2020.

On September 6, two feature films- Meiree (1998) and Nongju Ahing (2002) directed by Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma will be available online for a week and his talk will be conducted by Meghachandra Kongbam, National award winning film critic and President of the Film Society of Manipur on September 12 Saturday at 4 pm.

Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma is a well-known cinematographer, but he is also the producer of two feature films, a director of four feature films, a cinematographer of 14 feature films and an editor of 13 feature films and an audiographer of 10 feature films. He is also the lyricist for all five songs of the film- Meiree. He credited his immense contribution to the growth of popular Manipuri cinema. 

On 13 September, two films- a short film Masangtheigee Mang (2001) and a full length video film – Mami Sami(2008) directed by Ningthoucha Lancha will be uploaded and Exclusive Live Talk will be conducted by Salam Rajesh, Vice President of Film Society of Manipur on September 19 Saturday at 4 pm.

Ningthoucha Lancha shot into prominence in making short fiction films when his two short fiction films – Nongdi Tarakkhidre (2003) and Illisa Amagi Mahao (2008) was selected for the International Film Festival of India in Indian Panorama Section in the year 2004 and 2009 respectively.

On September 20, two national award winning documentary films – Heart to Heart (2010) and Shingnaba (2008) directed by Sunzu Bachaspatimayum will be available online for a week and his talk will be conducted by Haobam Paban Kumar, filmmaker and Secretary of Film Society of Manipur on September 26 Saturday at 4 pm.

Film Society of Manipur earlier planned to conduct the event chronologically from the earliest film to the latest film of Manipuri cinema. But due to non-availability of the films and poor archiving in the state the festival had to be deferred for almost a month. Fortunately, with the support of ISTV, we are able to put up this 1^st edition and present it to the people of Manipur. The event will continue in the public interest as long as we get the films and the support of the people of Manipur.

All are invited to enter into the Facebook page of the  Film Society of Manipur to click the link for attending the event.