The Festival of Cinemas of Manipur kicked off yesterday at the Palace auditorium of MSFDS. The 15-day multi-lingual festival is the concluding event of the ongoing yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema to come to an end on 29th April 2022. The rare festival, screening films from the celluloid, VHS, and digital eras were opened by Bobo Khuraijam’s ‘Ima Sabitri’ as the opening non-feature section, and Ojitbabu Ningthojam’s ‘Larei Lathup’, the film that was adjudged the Best Popular feature film at the 14 Manipur State Film Festival 2022 as the opening feature film section.

Eminent filmmaker and Padmashri recipient, Aribam Syam Sharma; MSFDS Lifetime Achievement awardees, and senior actors, Kangabam Tomba and Yengkhom Roma respectively graced the opening of the festival as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, and President. 

As many as 32 feature films, 12 documentaries, and 9 short films encompassing several local dialects spoken in Manipur will be screened during the festival. Among those to be screened during the festival include landmark films like, ‘Brojendro gi Luhongba, ‘Jahera, ‘Khonthang’, ‘Mantri Dolansana’, ‘Phijigi Mani’, AFSPA 1958, Pebet etc. Besides, 3 dialect films each of Tangkhul, Zeliangrong, and Thadou Kuki will also be screened making the festival inclusive in all its aspects. Full length animation feature film, based on the folktale ‘Keibu Keioiba’, will also feature in the festival. Children’s film, ‘Paari’ directed by renowned filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma will be a special attraction, especially for the children.  The 15-day event also features a series of interactive talks by Aribam Syam Sharma on aspects of film direction, music direction, and directing the Actors, besides a 5-day Documentary Project Development Workshop called, ‘Documentor’.

MSFDS Secretary, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum appeals to the people to attend the festival and grab the golden opportunity to watch timeless Manipuri films.

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