Festival of Manipur cinemas kicks off

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 15 : Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) kicked off  a 15-day 'Festival of Cinemas of Manipur' on April 14 at MSFDS auditorium.
As per a statement from MSFDS, the 15-day multilingual festival is the concluding event of the on-going year long Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema which will come to a close on April 29.
The festival which will be screening films from the celluloid, VHS and digital eras opened with Bobo Khuraijam's 'Ima Sabitri' in the non-feature section and Ojitbabu Ningthoujam’s 'Larei Lathup', which was adjudged the 'Best Popular Feature Film' at the 14 Manipur State Film Festival as the opening in the feature film section.
Eminent filmmaker and Padmashri recipient, Aribam Syam Sharma, MSFDS Lifetime Achievement awardees and senior actors Kangabam Tomba and Yengkhom Roma respectively graced the opening of the festival as chief guest, guest of honour and president.
As many as 32 feature films, 12 documentaries and 9 short films encompassing several local dialects spoken in Manipur will be screened during the festival. Among those to be screened during the festival include landmark films like Brojendro gi Luhongba, Jahera, Khonthang, Mantri Dolansana, Phijigi Mani, AFSPA 1958, Pebet etc.
 Besides these, 3 dialect films each of Tangkhul, Zeliangrong and Thadou Kuki will also be screened.
Full length animation feature film, based on the folktale Keibu Keioiba will also be featured in the festival. Children film 'Paari' directed by Aribam Syam Sharma will be a special attraction especially for kids.
The 15-day event also features a series of interactive talks by Aribam Syam Sharma on aspects of film direction, music direction and on directing the actors and a 5-day Documentary Project Development Workshop called, ‘Documentor’.
MSFDS secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum has appealed to the people to attend the festival and grab the golden opportunity to watch timeless Manipuri films.