The 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival took place from 6 to 9 February 2025 at Imphal, Manipur. The festival had screened 53 films from India and abroad, spread across four venues in Imphal (Manipur State Film Development Society, Chandrakriti Auditorium, Tanthapolis Cinema and Kumecs Cinema). The opening and closing ceremonies were held at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound.
Events
Master classes Prof. Shyamal Sengupta on 7 February 2025 (The Fundamentals of Direction) Sean McAllister on 7 February 2025 (Filming Intimate Documentary) Shiladitya Bora on 9 February 2025 (Marketing, Distribution and Monetisation of Independent Films) Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni on 9 February 2025 (Exploring Storytelling in Shorts)
Panel Discussions: Challenges Faced by Manipuri Cine Exhibitors on 6 February 2025 PanelistsLaishram Sanatomba, Haobijam Shantiprabha and Laimayum Surjakanta, moderated by Wahengbam Lalpal Cinemagi Honglakliba Saklon Amadi Manipuri Cine Actors on 6 February 2025 Panelists Amar Mayanglambam, Soma Laishram and Bala Hijam, moderated by Sonia Sorengsangbam Stories From The Fringe on 7 February 2025 Panelists Kivini Shohe, Pradip Kurbah and Borun Thokchom, moderated by Moji Riba Manipuri Cinema Amadi Ari-Anougi Langdai on 9 February 2025 Panelists Kangabam Tomba, R.K. Hemabati and Thongam Thoithoi, moderated by Kharibam Yaiphaba
Cine Talks Vikramjit Roy on 6 February 2025 (Harnessing Film Production to Boost State's Revenue) Sukamal Deb on 6 February 2025 (Ham Radio and Communication) Subimal Bhattacharjee on 7 February 2025 (Digital Transformation and Film Consumption) Jenica Kalra on 8 February 2025 (Japan-India Content Collaboration: Anime, IPs, and Beyond)
Eikhoigi Pitch Documentary Pitch on 8 February 2025 Fiction Pitch on 8 February 2025
Cultural & Traditional Showcase Opening Ceremony on 6 February: Moibung, Phisarol, Tribal Dance, Rosy Heisnam, SAM PAA Eikhoigi Legacy on 7 February: Thang-Ta, Dhol Cholom, Thang Leiteng, Guru Rewben Mashangva, Lourembam Bedabati Devi, Sorri Senjam Eikhoigi Impulse on 8 February: Pumpkin Crew & Imphal Breakers, Featherheads, Ereimang Closing Ceremony on 9 February: Laihui Ensemble, Pung Cholom, Basanta Raas
Jury International Competition: Fiction Jury Susant Misra (Chairman of Jury): Film director Ritu Sarin: Film director, producer and artist Romi Meitei: Film director
International Competition: Non-Fiction Jury Supriyo Sen (Chairman of Jury): Indian filmmaker Tangella Madhavi: Documentary filmmaker Oinam Doren: Documentary filmmaker
Eikhoigi Pitch: Fiction Jury Nabin Subba: Nepalese film director Fowzia Fathima: Indian cinematographer, producer, academic and director Oken Amakcham: Indian actor, director and music composer
Eikhoigi Pitch: Non-Fiction Jury Kivine Shohe: Indian filmmaker Uma Vangal: Indian filmmaker Sudharak Olwe: Indian documentary photographer
Official selections The following films have been selected in different categories. All That Breathes and Yairipok Thambalnu made to the official selections and screening schedules were notified, but were not screened at the festival.
International Competition: Fiction Highlighted title indicates award winner Original title English title Director(s) Production countrie(s) Village Rockstars 2 Rima Das India Boong Lakshmipriya Devi India မ MA - Cry of Silence The Maw Naing Myanmar Cu Li Không Bao Giờ Khóc Cu Li Never Cries Phạm Ngọc Lân Vietnam, Singapore, France, Philippines, Norway Ullozhukku Undercurrent Christo Tomy India Hangman Vihaan India Nelum Kuluna Tentigo Ilango Ram Sri Lanka Айқай Scream Kenzhebek Shaikakov Kazakhstan Yakshanba Sunday Shokir Kholikov Uzbekistan Buelwa An Offering Charmi Chheda Bhutan गाउँ आएको बाटो A Road to a Village Nabin Subba Nepal
International Competition: Non-Fiction Highlighted title indicates award winner Original title English title Director(s) Production countrie(s) ढोरपाटन No Winter Holidays Rajan Kathet & Sunir Pandey Nepal, South Korea, Romania Where We Used to Sleep Matthäus Wörle Germany তৃতীয় ভুবন Beyond Boundaries Sankhajit Biswas & Biswajit Mitra Australia, India And, Towards Happy Alleys Sreemoyee Singh India Andro Dreams Meena Longjam India Agent of Happiness Arun Bhattarai & Dorottya Zurbó Bhutan, Hungary BhangaarObsolete Sumira Roy India Against the Tide Sarvnik Kaur India, France Turtle Walker Taira Malaney India, United StatesUkjent Landskap A New Kind of Wilderness Silje Evensmo Jacobsen Norway
North-East Currents Original title English title Director(s)Production North East Indian State Ka Chithi The Letters Simi Khongtiang Meghalaya Puinau Puidaa Stepmother Kachangthai Gonmei Manipur Tara: The Lost Star Samten Bhutia Sikkim Bibo Binanao My Three Sisters Kenny Deori Basumatary Assam Indian Women Atlas Sunil Dhankher Manipur Ade (On a Sunday) Theja Rio Nagaland Karken Nending Loder Arunachal Pradesh Chanchisoa Expectation Elvachisa Ch. Sangma & Dipankar Das Meghalaya An Unknown Summer Bhaskar Jyoti Das Assam Delusional Decays Tushar Nongthombam Manipur Aaini Onnai Mother's Affection Bishal Swargiary Assam
World Lenses Original title English title Director(s) Production countrie(s) Father's Footsteps Mohamad W. Ali Syria, India Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... Chidananda S. Naik India Putulnama Dolls Don’t Die Ranajit Ray India Čovjek koji nije mogao šutjeti The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent Nebojša Slijepčević France, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria
Remastered: The Light of Manipuri Cinema Original title English title Director(s) Genre Ishanou The Chosen One Aribam Syam Sharma Fiction Sanakeithel Golden Market M.A. Singh Fiction Chatledo Eidi Gone With A Heavy Heart Makhonmani Mongsaba Fiction
Eikhoigi Montage Original title English title Director(s) Genre Swaha In the Name of Fire Abhilash Sharma Fiction Kherwal Uttam Kamati Fiction Appuram The Other Side Indu Lakshmi Fiction Adim Primitive Amitabha Chaterji Fiction The Secrets of Radha Subarna Thapa Fiction Manikbabur Megh The Cloud and the Man Abhinandan Banerjee Fiction In God We Trust Uma Vangal Non Fiction Teere Bendho Na.. Unanchored.. Niranjan Kumar Kujur Fiction Path Pradip Kurbah Shorts
Manipur Matinée Original title English title Director(s) Genre Oneness Priyakanta Laishram FictionSunita Ajit Yumnam Fiction Laangoi Enclosure Manoranjan Longjam Fiction Langdai Ama The Juncture Binoranjan Oinam Fiction Una Una As It Sees Irel Luwang Fiction
Awards and Winners
Award Film Director(s) Best Fiction: International Competition MA - Cry of Silence The Maw Naing Best Non-Fiction: International Competition Agent of Happiness Arun Bhattarai & Dorottya Zurbó FIPRESCI Award Where We Used to Sleep Matthäus Wörle Special Jury Award Yakshanba Shokir Kholikov
Eikhoigi Pitch Awards Award Film Director(s) Best Pitch - Fiction The Scent of the Ripening Field Alexander Leo Pou Best Pitch - Non-Fiction Bedabati's Songs Borun Thokchom Most Promising Project - Fiction or Non-Fiction The Scent of Mother Pramoda Nandeibam Emerging Talent - Non-Fiction Eche Tombi - The Brewer of Andro Andy Tourangbam & Thokchom Nelson Emerging Talent - Fiction Khei-Hea (Night & Day) Ashok Veilou
References
External links