Imphal: The stage is all set for the 1st Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF) scheduled from April 2 – 6, to be held at the Palace Auditorium of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal.
It is jointly organised by the MSFDS and Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI) with financial support from the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India. The opening ceremony will begin at 3:30 pm, with Manipuri film luminary, Aribam Syam Sharma as the chief guest, deputy director of DFF, Tanu Rai, Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and Khasi filmmaker Pradip Kurbah as the guests of honour.
EIIFF 2022 is the high-point of the year-long Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema, which kicked off in April 2021. The celebration which will culminate this April has EIIFF 2022 as a perfect icing on the cake. It may be mentioned that the celebration has been marked by a series of events, which includes films screenings, honouring of the film pioneers, talk sessions and workshops etc.
Also read: Now Manipur govt offices to work 5-days a week, 9 am-5:30 pm
EIIFF 2022 will have the premiere of two Manipuri Films, ‘Eikhoigi Yum’, directed by Romi Meitei and ‘Nine Hills – One Valley’, directed by Haobam Pabankumar. Besides ‘Lewduh’, acclaimed Khasi film directed by Pradip Kurbah and multiple award winning Assamese film, ‘Ishu’ directed by Utpal Borpujari. Alongside, films made by master filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G. Aravindam, Girish Kasaravalli and Mrinal Sen will be screened. Critically acclaimed filmmakers such as Kaushik Hafizee, Pankaj Rishikumar, Sarmistha Maiti and Rajdeep Paul will also join the festival with their film
Another important highlight of the festival will be the talk sessions with the filmmakers. Shaunak Sen, whose film ‘All That Breathes’ (winner of Grand Jury Award, Sundance) will share his thoughts on the 4th day of the festival in a talk session titled, ‘Emerging Reality Storyteller’.
Contemporary dance performance ‘Meepao’, a tribute to the pioneer filmmakers, choreographed by Surjit Nongmeikapam will perform on the opening day of the festival. Besides, musical performances by Sampa band and Laihui’s Mangka will will add luster to the festival during the festival.