Imphal: Joseph’s Son, the third narrative feature by Haobam Paban Kumar in Manipuri languages, has won Best Feature Film and Best Music (awarded to Guru Rewben Mashangva) in the North East India Film Competition at the inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025.
The awards were announced on Monday by the jury panel, chaired by renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, alongside jury members Dr. Santwana Bordoloi and Akashaditya Lama.
Joseph’s Son had its world premiere in June 2023 at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, where it competed in the main competition section. The film is produced by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and co-produced by Oli Pictures, Imphal.
Featuring musician Guru Rewben Mashangva in the lead role, the film is multilingual, incorporating Tangkhul, Meitei, Thadou Kuki, and Rongmei languages. It portrays diverse characters from Tangkhul, Meitei, Thadou Kuki, Rongmei, and Bihari communities, reflecting the ethnic diversity of Manipur.
Rooted in the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, Joseph’s Son follows a musician, Joseph, who embarks on a reluctant journey to search for his missing son. As he traverses conflict-ridden landscapes, his fears deepen—fears shaped by both past and present turmoil.
Speaking about the film’s significance, Paban Kumar stated, “As a storyteller, it is crucial for my films to reflect contemporary realities. Manipur is home to 35 different tribes and sub-tribes, each with its own language, culture, and traditions. Today, the region faces unrest, with ethnic groups struggling for identity, land, and forests. This is a story of fear and uncertainty for those living in places torn by decades of insurgency and division.”
