Backed by Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the first-ever international film festival will begin on April 2, said officials on Wednesday. Manipur Film Development Society (MSFDS) Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that in the 5-day long international film festival ‘Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival’ 11 feature films, 8 non-feature films and one short film would be screened.
Films from Iran, Germany, Korea, Philippines and Norway would be screened.
The official said that two Manipuri films — Romi Meitei’s ‘Eigi Yum’ and Haobam Pabankumar’s ‘Nine Hills One Valley’, acclaimed Khasi (Meghalaya) film, ‘Iewduh’, directed by Pradeep Kurbah and Assamese film, ‘Ishu’, directed by Utpal Borpujari will also be screened in the festival.
The festival is being organised jointly by MSFDS and Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI), with financial aid from the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A DFF package of films made by master filmmakers of India such as Satyajit Ray, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G. Aravindam, Girish Kasaravalli and Mrinal Sen will be a special attraction of the EIIFF-2022.
Besides film screenings, talks and sessions, ‘Meepao,’ a contemporary modern dance by Surjit Nongmeikapam and team, experimental folk music band by ‘Sam Paa’ and narrative act on the journey of Manipur by the Cine Actors’ Guild of Manipur are set to light up festive atmosphere.