Imphal, April 2 (IANS): The first edition of the “Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival” kicked off at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) palace auditorium on Saturday, manifesting a new feather in the hat of Manipuri cinema as he celebrates his 50th birthday.
The five-day non-competitive festival, supported by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is organized as part of the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration of Manipuri cinema.
Speaking as guest of honor at the inaugural ceremony of the festival, prominent Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma insisted that special financial assistance from the government is essential for the success of the festival in its future editions.
Syam Sharma, who has been associated with Manipuri cinema since its inception, lamented that the government has always shown an indifferent attitude towards the growth of Manipuri cinema.
Nonetheless, he has drawn the attention of the government to make the Manipur State Film and Television Institute fully functional at the earliest to facilitate professionalism and the production of good films in the north eastern state.
MSFDS Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum while delivering the opening speech said the festival was designed to catalyze the amplification of cinematic storytelling in Manipur.
He further expressed his joy at realizing the dream of an international film festival where one experiences global cinema that cuts through life and intrinsic cultural and political experiences beyond its borders and transpires invaluable knowledge.
Manipur Government Department of Arts and Culture Commissioner, Mr. Joy, said the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival marks the new beginning of Manipuri cinema.
He also expressed his confidence that the festival will fill the void of a voracious film culture in Manipur.
Deputy Director of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Film Festivals Directorate, Tanu Rai, Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, Khasi (Meghalaya) filmmaker Pradip Kurban, among other eminent personalities, also attended the inaugural ceremony. Eminent filmmaker, Romi Meitei’s award-winning film “Eikhoigi Yum” (Our House), in its Imphal Premier screened on the opening day of the festival.
Prior to the screening, the contemporary dance performance aMeepao’, a tribute to pioneer filmmakers, choreographed by Surjit Nongmeikapam was also presented.
Manipur Film Development Society (MSFDS) Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that during the 5-day international film festival, 11 feature films, 8 non-feature films and one short film will be screened.
Films, including those from Iran, Germany, Korea, the Philippines and Norway, would be screened. “, directed by Pradeep Kurbah and the Assamese film, “Ishu”, directed by Utpal Borpujari will also be screened as part of the festival.
Bachaspatimayum said the festival was jointly organized by MSFDS and the Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI), with financial assistance from the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. ‘Union.
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