Manipur State Film Development Society, MSFDS, is accepting entries for the 15th Manipur State Film Awards, 2023 to be given to Manipuri feature films, Documentary films, Short films, and Music Videos produced and censored by the Central Board of Film Certification, CBFC, between 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022. Entries for the State Film Awards are also invited for Best Writings on Manipuri Cinema, consisting of awards for Best Film Critic and Best Book on Manipuri Cinema published between 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 in Manipuri or English language.

Films made in Manipuri language or any dialects spoken in the State and censored by the CBFC are eligible for entry in the Competition. In order to encourage production of quality feature films in other dialects of the State other than Meiteilon, entries of dialect feature films would be accepted even if they are not certified by the CBFC as a one-time relaxation.

However, these films would have to submit proof of the year of production, issued by a local authority.For Non-feature films, the commentary/narration may also be in English or any other dialect but all films must submit with English subtitles.

Interested filmmakers, producers, film critics and authors of film books may apply online for the State Awards online on www.msfds.org or www.msfds.net. Besides the online forms which are available online on our website, hard copies of the Entry Forms may be obtained from the MSFDS office, Palace Gate, Imphal East. The last date for online as well as offline submission of entries is 25th April 2023.

MSFDS would like to encourage makers of Manipuri Music Videos to apply as it is accepted as an entry for the State Film Award under the Non-Feature Film section. For all categories of the State Awards, three sets of Jury – Feature, Non-Feature and Writings on Manipuri Cinema – will decide the awards to be given out at the Palace Auditorium, Palace Gate sometime in May-June 2023.

The State Film Awards is an annual State Film event organized by MSFDS on behalf of the Government of Manipur mainly to encourage the production of Manipuri Cinema of aesthetic excellence and social relevance that contribute to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different regions of the State in cinematic form, thereby promote integration and unity of Manipur State.