Waari singbul Network | October 23, 2023 

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has unveiled its prestigious list of selected films for the 54th IFFI 2023 Panjim, Goa. Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Indian Panorama segment, considered the festival’s flagship component, will feature a total of 45 outstanding films, consisting of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films. 

These films are set to captivate audiences from November 20 to 28, 2023 at the iconic event. This year’s event will be another shot in the arm of the Manipuri cinema movement. Dr. Meena Longjam’s ‘Andro Dreams’ will be the opening film of the Indian Panorama non-feature section, promising a captivating start to this iconic cinematic journey.  

It may be mentioned that ‘Andro Dreams’ is the third Manipuri non-feature film to achieve the honour of opening the Indian Panorama section. The first film was Aribam Syam’s ‘Yelhou Jagoi’ (1995), after a gap of 21 years, it was followed by Bobo Khuraijam’s ‘Ima Sabitri’ (2016). 

Sharing her excitement with WSN, Meena said, “I am extremely happy and it’s great that ‘Andro Dreams’ has been selected as an opening film. I think I’m the first female filmmaker from Manipur to get this honour.” 

Meena further added, “I hope this news of ‘Andro Dreams’ showcasing how girls from a small village in Manipur can dream big will come as a ray of hope for others. I hope we can stay resilient like the protagonists in my movie through this current adversity.”  

Another Manipuri filmmaker, Waribam Dorendra, a talented storyteller, who is based in Guwahati, will also make a mark at the 54th IFFI 2023 with his nonfeature film, ‘Last Meet’. This compelling piece of cinema has earned its place among the selection of films that will grace the IFFI stage. 

Speaking to WSN, an elated Dorendra expressed his excitement about the opportunity to showcase his work and contribute to the rich tapestry of Indian cinema at the 54th IFFI 2023. 

He said, “the film is my own personal journey accompanying my mother to meet my old bedridden uncle in his village home. The movie was not planned beforehand. I was interested in recording the real-life moments unfolding, and yet as a filmmaker, it is possible to take an observer’s position.” 

Dorendra continued, “I am also interested in looking at the physicality of our existence, the relationship we build along the way, and the gradual physical decay. The film was shot towards the end of the year 2016, but the final editing was done at the beginning of 2023. In a way, it becomes a family memory album in real-time.” 

Dorendra started to shoot the film in October 2016 during his a little more than a week’s stay at his uncle’s village in South Assam. However the editing took a longer time than expected as his machine broke down, and he could complete it only later this year after buying a new editing machine. 

When asked about his response to the news of two Manipuri films to be honoured at IFFI 2023, filmmaker Bobo Khuraijam, whose film ‘Ima Sabitri’ opened the India Panorama in 2016, said, “Congratulations to both filmmakers. I especially welcome Meena to the league of Manipuri ‘opening batsmen’ in the Indian Panorama section of IFFI, way to go”  

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