The period of a long wait for an international film festival for the cine lovers of Manipur will come to an end with the launch of the 1st Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF) 2022. The 5-day long festival will begin on April 2, 2022. EIFF 2022 is the high point of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Manipuri Cinema, which culminates this year.

Jointly organized by Manipur Film Development Society (MSFDS) and Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI), with financial aid from the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, the festival is a realization of a long-cherished dream for the film community and as well as the cinemagoers of the state.

The well-curated international festival will screen 11 feature films, 8 non-feature films, and 1 short film. Being the first international festival, organizers had to put in extra effort to seek screening rights from the producers. A DFF package of films made by master filmmakers of India such as Satyajit Ray, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G. Aravindam, Girish Kasaravalli, and Mrinal Sen will be a special attraction of EIIFF 2022.

Two Manipuri films will make their premiere in this first edition of EIIFF: Romi Meitei’s ‘Eigi Yum’ and Haobam Pabankumar’s ‘Nine Hills One Valley’. Alongside, the acclaimed Khasi film, ‘Iewduh’, directed by Pradeep Kurbah, and the Assamese film, ‘Ishu’, directed by Utpal Borpujari will also be screened. Director of the critically acclaimed documentary film, ‘All That Breathes’, Shaunak Sen will be present during the festival and share the experience of his cinematic journey. Besides, filmmakers like Rajdeep Paul, Sarmistha Maiti, and Kaushik Hafizee will take part in the festival along with their films. DFF deputy director, Tanu Rai will also participate in the international film festival.

EIIFF will be a golden opportunity for filmmakers, critics, and cine lovers. It will provide a healthy platform for meaningful deliberations on the current artistic development in film art, and also the nuances of the industrial demands. The festival envisages filling up the void of a veracious cinematic culture, particularly in the state of Manipur.

Besides film screenings, talks, and sessions, ‘Meepao,’ a contemporary modern dance by Surjit Nongmeikapam and team, an experimental folk music band by ‘Sam Paa’ and a narrative act on the journey of Manipur by the Cine Actors’ Guild of Manipur are set to light up the festive atmosphere.

Film festivals around the world have been a harbinger of brilliant cinematic culture, besides inspiring young people who want to tell stories through films. EIIFF envisions to be one such festival by including a competition section from the next edition onwards.

Daily screenings during the 5-days festival will begin at 11 in the morning and continue till 10 in the evening. In between the breaks, there will be musical performances by local artists. The organizers of the EIIFF extend a warm invitation to everyone. Entry is open for all.

It may be mentioned that the last lap of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Manipuri Cinema had already kicked off with the commencement of 6-day ‘Cinematography Lab’ April 26 onwards.

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