Imphal: In an official statement released by MSFDS, the selection of five candidates for partial sponsorship to attend the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has been announced. The chosen applicants, spanning various roles in the film and media industry, are Pradip Phanjoubam (Press), Binoranjan Oinam (Screenwriter/Lyricist), OC Meira (Screenwriter/Lyricist/Director), Premjit Naoroibam (Producer/Film Promoter), and Kangjam Ronelchandra Meitei (Producer/Cinematographer/Actor).
Pradip Phanjoubam, the sole representative from Manipur’s press, is mandated to cover the prestigious event and film bazaar for the state. The other four candidates, recognized by the Selection Committee for their dedication and vision for participation in IFFI, form a specially selected film team aimed at exposure to global cinema trends. The allocated sponsorship fund of Rs. 1,00,000/- will facilitate the travel expenses and lodging for the selected individuals during the festival.
Notably, Manipur’s “Andro Dreams,” directed by Meena Longjam, will open the Indian Panorama Section in the Non-Feature category—a film incubated and developed at the ‘Imphal Documentor’, a project lab organized by MSFDS in collaboration with Documentary Resource Initiative (DRI), Kolkata. Further enhancing Manipur’s cinematic significance, the panel of juries for the Indian Panorama included critically acclaimed filmmaker Romi Meitei and Swarna Kamal awarded film book writer and filmmaker Bobby Wahengbam.
Furthermore, the state showcased its talent at the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) Film Bazaar, presenting two projects—a feature film project titled ‘Sunita – The Leading Light’ by Manipuri filmmaker Ajit Yumnam and a documentary project named ‘Reincarnation’ by Bobo Khuraijam, delving into the challenges of a blind girl in pursuit of education and the indigenous art of tattoos connecting past and present, respectively.
This remarkable presence at the IFFI and the Film Bazaar underscores Manipur’s thriving creativity and diversity in both feature and documentary cinema projects, solidifying its place on the vibrant Indian film landscape, said a press note from MSFDS.
