GOA, November 25: Celebrated Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma, who is also the Chairman of the Feature Jury of the Indian Panorama section, received a “Red Carpet” reception while coming to attend the screening of the “Imagi Ningthem” at the Maquinez Palace theatre, INOX, Goa on Monday last.
The film was being screened as a part of IFFI’s Focus on North East Cinema presently going on at Panjim, Goa.
Sharma was accompanied by renowned veteran actor of Manipur Yengkhom Roma, Ksh. Rashi and T. Leikhendra Singh, who acted as a child artiste in “Imagi Ningthem”.
“I am delighted and feel honoured. It is a long journey from 1972 onwards to this stage,” said Syam Sharma while addressing the audience.
Earlier on the day, during the interactive session of the Open Forum floated by the Federation of Film Societies of India, Syam Sharma spoke about what really makes an Indian director.
“Are Indian film only the films made in Hindi or Bollywood? What is after all an Indian Film?”, said Syam Sharma. Sharma continued, “When I represent the country in many international film festivals, I am called an Indian Filmmaker, but here in India I am called a Regional Filmmaker. Sometimes we get offended.” “We are small but seriously and honestly film makers.”
IFFI’s Focus on North East cinema includes fourteen of Syam Sharma’s restrospective films and other films of seven new directors from the north east region.