Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal:
Manipur today witnessed an optimistic transition as hundreds, including dozens from across the country and beyond, came together to celebrate the art of cinema in the 2nd edition of the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF), 2025, which kicked off Thursday.The inaugural function of the biggest international film festival in India’s northeast held at the City Convention Centre was marked by vibrant cultural
performances re-emphasising the fact that Manipur is much beyond the unrest and violence which often overshadowed the land. The doyen of Manipuri Cinema and acclaimed filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma recounted the horrors of the Battle of Imphal between the Allied Forces and the Japanese in the Second World War. The octogenarian filmmaker said that whenever we say Imphal, people of his generation are reminded of the bombings and the horror it brought to the people. Imphal became prominent as the last battleground between Allied Forces and the Japanese forces.
That difficult period where many people lost their near and dear ones comes to mind. But as we celebrate the EIIFF 2025 today, we envision another type of Imphal. Perhaps, we can hope that this festival will usher in peace in this very disturbed land, he said. He also pointed out how he couldn’t sleep the previous night, contemplating whether it is the right time for organising a film festival. There might be people who say it is not the right time. But this type of festival is very much necessary as this will give a chance to young filmmakers to grow in their fields. I am very happy that Manipur is hosting this festival and many delegates from outside Manipur are also taking part, he said. Further shedding light on how this type of small international festival is very important, he said that in big festivals, we get lost whereas in small film festivals there is room for establishing connections and exchanging of ideas among the filmmaking community. The restored version of Aribam Syam Sharma’s timeless classic Ishanou (The Chosen One) was the opening film of the festival and he expressed his delight that with the restoration, Ishanou has been reborn. Information and Public Relations minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan while speaking as the chief guest, expressed his firm belief that
films have the potential to bring positive changes as they have profound impact on the society, culture and the community. He also said that it will be a boon for film lovers if timeless classic films can be restored and digitised, thereby focusing on the importance of film preservation. Manipur Chief Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the festival organising committee, PK Singh assured to make all possible efforts from his side to ensure that the festival is being organised more grandly from the next edition onwards. Noting that there are several schemes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for assisting in organising such festivals, he stated that the organising committee plans to seek the funding and make the festival bigger by ensuring participation of international guests. Meanwhile, Festival Director and MSFDS Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that at a time when there exists an apprehension about visiting Manipur, the festival organisers are overwhelmed by the solidarity shown by creative minds from across the country and beyond. The solidarity reinforced the belief that cinema has the power to unite, to heal, and to inspire. This festival is a celebration of inclusivity and the shared love for the art of motion-picture storytelling, offering a space to reconcile, to dream, and to build a hopeful future together, he said. Over the next three days, EIFF 2025 promises an enriching experience with a carefully curated selection of films—shorts, documentaries, and fiction—alongside industry engagements designed to elevate the cinematic landscape and nurture fresh talent. Beyond screenings, there is a robust lineup of Masterclasses, Cine Talks, and Panel Discussions that have already begun to spark critical conversations. For the first time in Northeast India, EIFF introduces two Pitch Sessions where emerging talents will present their fiction and nonfiction projects to industry professionals, competing for funding opportunities amounting to Rs. 8 Lakhs. These pitches mark the culmination of rigorous project development mentorship labs, where eight nonfiction and five fiction projects have been nurtured by mentors who have urged filmmakers to discover and refine their unique cinematic languages. To the esteemed guests from outside Manipur, the festival director hoped that they would take not just stories from the films but also the warmth of Manipuri hospitality, the spirit of inclusivity, and the breathtaking beauty of the land.
