IMPHAL, April 9: The Eighth Mami Numit, organised by Manipur Film Development Corporation, MFDC and Film Forum Manipur (FFM), was held at the Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) on Wednesday.
Floral tributes were offered to the photos of late artists who sacrificed their lives for the film industry.
Ningombam Noren, Chief of Bureau of Impact TV bagged the Best Film Journalist Award. Kh Bishwamitra and Romi Meitei were also presented with shawls as their films, The Skiff and Snake under the Bed (Khangkhada Lin), got selected for the Mumbai International Film Festival. Dr Makhon Mani Mongsaba was also felicitated for his travelogue ‘Lamkoi Wari’. Padmashri awardees Elam Indira Devi (film artist), W Gojen Meitei (film activist) were also presented with shawls and citations.
FFM secretary Epu said in his key note address that the first Manipuri film ‘Matamge Manipur’ in Meiteilon was released in 1972 and FFM was instituted in 2007.
Mentioning that it’s been 42 years since the first Manipuri feature was made, he appealed that from next year onward no disturbances should be given to the film industry like it encounter this year.
Managing director of MFDC Dr K Sobita said that the history of Manipuri films began in 1972 with the production of Matamge Manipur, the first Manipuri feature film. Manipuri films will continue in the future and people need to appreciate Mani Mongshaba and W Gojen who were awarded with national awards and Sahatiya Academy.
Arts and Culture Commissioner RK Nimai said that Manipuri films are going to complete 42 years and now digital films have changed the landscapes of films with the advancement in technology.
Many people are coming up in the film industry. People need to have areas of specialization which is needed while producing good films. Acting is advanced but it had not followed the basic system and on what basis they are doing the acting. People need to have introspections in bringing development of the film industry in the state, he added.