Stressing on the need to give a common tag to produced films, eminent filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma suggested that any film produced in the country should be recognised as a ‘national film’ instead of categorising them in different compartments such as regional etc.
He was speaking at the inaugural of the five-day long Indian Panorama Film Festival Manipur with Retrospective to Aribam Syam Sharma at Palace Auditorium, Manipur State Film Development Society Complex on Saturday. It is being jointly organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and MSFDS as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Speaking at the function as chief guest, Syam said that though India is diversified with various languages, dialects, cultures and traditions, any films produced from any particular state should not be termed ‘regional’ films. They should be recognised as ‘national’ films as giving such terminology would really help in promotion of films across the states.
Concerning the Indian Panorama Film Festival, he mentioned that the department of Film Festivals has organised two grand events in a year, namely the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the National Film Awards. In IFFI, the Indian Panorama Films (films that are selected as best of the year) are being showcased, he said. As many as 21 feature and non-feature films each are being selected every year, he added.
In these 50 years of Manipuri cinema, 32 films of Manipur have been enlisted so far under the Indian Panorama, he said, adding that the organising of Indian Panorama Film Festival in Manipur is a great achievement of the state.
He also said that those who are into films or working in the industry should develop an interest in watching as many movies as they can irrespective of whether they are foreign language or national films.The programme is being held as a part of yearlong celebration of 'Golden jubilee of Manipuri cinema' that began from April 9. However, the celebration was halted eight day after its inauguration due to the worsening of the pandemic situation in the state.
During the five-day festival, as many as 36 films of both feature and non-feature films will be displayed.
The programme was attended by film critic from Assam Bitopan Borborah and commissioner, art and culture M Joy Singh as guests of honour and president respectively.
