Imphal, India — The 17th Manipur State Film Awards celebrated the evolving landscape of Manipuri cinema on Thursday, shining a spotlight on both seasoned professionals and emerging talents. Notable wins included Narmada Shougaijam for Best Actor (Female) for her outstanding performance in “Sunita,” and G. Bonny Sharma, who took home the Best Actor (Male) award for his role in “Laangoi.”
The ceremony, held at the MSFDS Mini Auditorium, recognized films produced in 2024. The event underscored a significant trend: nearly half of the fiction category entries were directed by debut filmmakers, reflecting a promising shift in storytelling that emphasizes fresh perspectives.
“Laangoi,” directed by Manoranjan Longjam, was awarded Best Feature Film, and Longjam also received recognition as Best Director. The awards reflect the committee’s effort to highlight innovation and diversity in Manipuri storytelling.
Dr. Arambam Lokendra, a renowned cultural scholar, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his pivotal contributions to Manipuri cinema. This honor, which includes a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, was determined by a panel headed by M. Joy Singh, Special Commissioner for Art and Culture.
The romantic drama “Una Una,” directed by debutant Irel Luwang and set in the picturesque region of Ukhrul, captured the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Laishram Soma earned a Special Jury Mention for her compelling portrayal in the film. Additionally, Best Playback Singer honors in both male and female categories went to Arbin Soibam and Pushparani Huidrom, respectively, for their contributions to “Una Una.”
Priyakanta Laishram’s “Oneness” was honored with the Special Jury Award, recognized for its brave and heartfelt exploration of a queer man’s struggles with family rejection and societal prejudice. The award for Best Debut Director went to Dinesh Naorem for “Oitharei” (Help Me), which focuses on the experiences of a woman surviving Manipur’s ethnic turmoil.
In the non-feature category, “The Legacy of 4 Generations,” a documentary about artist RKCS directed by Thiyam Debendra, won the Special Jury Award. The short film “The Silent Performer,” by newcomer Huidrom Rakesh, received a Special Jury Mention for its artistic merit.
While this year’s jury found no qualifying entry for Best Book in the Writing on Cinema category, Ashangbam Netrajit was recognized as Best Critic for his perceptive analyses of Manipuri film.
The fiction jury was chaired by esteemed writer Dilip Mayengbam, featuring contributions from a mix of artists and film professionals, while the non-feature panel was led by filmmaker Bobo Khuraijam. The Writing on Cinema jury included Sahitya Akademi awardee Sharatchand Thiyam, highlighting a commitment to elevating film critique.
The film awards not only celebrate artistic achievements but also reflect the dynamic changes within Manipuri cinema, marking a hopeful future for the region’s film industry.
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