Imphal: The Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey inaugurated the North East India Film Festival (NEIFF 2024), at the Palace Auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society in Imphal on Sunday.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Governor said, the main objective of organizing the film festival is to provide an opportunity for the filmmakers to exchange the art and technical qualities of filmmaking. Irrespective of where the participants of the film, actors and actresses, technicians come from, films bring them closer to each other.Â
She said that the impact of good films is effective in the character building of the society, especially the youth. Commercial films try to entertain the audience while diverting them from undesirable objectives like unrest and violence. She appealed to all the filmmakers to make good films that will inspire the youth to stay connected to their religion and culture.
The Governor further said, Manipuri cinema has been continuously growing, starting with 35 mm black and white films. Videos have also contributed to the world of Manipuri cinema. North East India, with its rich cultural and artistic talents, will produce quality films to improve society at this critical juncture of social change.
The tribes of North East India have a rich cultural heritage and their folk tales are full of beautiful stories of love and bravery which can be good script material for making films on tribes. Such films will provide people an opportunity to understand the excellent art and culture of the tribal society and their bright side will be revealed to the modern society. Governor exuded confidence that organizing such film festivals would encourage artists, directors and producers and boost the morale of producers, artists and technicians.
Stating that the image of women is not being presented properly in films, the Governor appealed the producers to take special care while presenting women to ensure that women do not remain merely a medium for presentation. According to our culture, her complete personality should be exposed, she added. The Governor appreciated Thauna’s efforts to promote art and culture in the North East and said that Thauna’s efforts will help in raising the standards of cinema and encouraging young artists and technicians in North East India.
The Governor appreciated the role of eminent filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma for his role in the development of Manipuri Cinema and wished him for good health.
M. Joy Singh, Commissioner (IPR); Prof. N. Rajmuhon Singh, VC, DM University and Eminent Filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma, film enthusiast, actors participated among others in the inaugural function.
The festival will go on till March 7 and eight films will be screened during the festival. The festival is being organised by THOUNA, Manipur in association with DIPR, Art & Culture and Film Forum, Manipur, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India.
