A five-day long “Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival”, which began on April 2 ended on Wednesday at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound. It was organised by MSFDS in association with MSFTI and the Directorate of Film Festivals.
The festival was held as a part of yearlong golden jubilee celebration of Manipuri Cinema that began from April 9, 2021. During this five-day long film festival, as many as 20 films were screened wherein five of them were international films and two were Manipuri movies.
The two Manipuri movies were ‘Eikhoigi Yum’, directed by Romi Meitei and ‘Nine Hills One Valley’, directed by Haobam Paban.
On the last day of the festival, four films were screened. They were a Philippines movie called ‘God Bless Our Home’, directed by Nawruz Paguidapon; Norwegian film ‘Gunda’, directed by Viktor Kossakovsky; an Indian cinema ‘No Refusal’, directed by Kaushik Hafizee and another Indian cinema ‘Chalchitra’, directed by Mrinal Sen.
Addressing the media in connection with the function, secretary, MSFDS, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that the main purpose of the festival is not only to entertain the viewer but also to promote and improve the quality of Manipuri movies. The movies that were screened during the festivals are well acclaimed at nationals and international level. Displaying such movies is an opportunity for film lovers or makers to gather new ideas and thoughts. Besides this, a workshop organised as a part of the festival on cinematography and editing also helps in widening the skills in the said field, the secretary said.
“We can produce good movies only when we develop the habit of watching cinemas of other states and countries. It will help to become more competitive to film makers’ communities. I hope this film festival will surely serve that purpose,” he said and further informed that the festival of cinemas of Manipur will begin from April 14 till April 29.
During this festival, films of every community produced in the state will be screened. He appealed to everyone to come and enjoy the festival too, like the way it was crowded in the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival.
