1st Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival comes to an end

06th April 2022

The 1st edition of 5-day 'Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival', EIIFF, that was organised as a part of the yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema concluded today.

Even as the festival witnessed stimulating participation and response from the general public, the apparently unenthusiastic attitude of the state film actors towards the festival peeved senior film personalities.

In an interaction with reporters, senior film actor Ningthouja Joybidya contended that most of the popular film actors, especially the young ones, did not turn up at the festival. He expressed desire for the artistes to understand that the festival was organised in a bid to foster the holistic growth of Manipuri Cinema.

Meanwhile, director of 'No Refusal', Kaushik Hafizee, expressed joy over the screening of his debut film in the international film festival. Interestingly, his film got world premiered today at the EIIFF 2022 edition.

He opined that the festival was hosted in an outstanding manner with strict adherence to schedule. He also appreciated the audience for their enthusiastic outlook and engaging in conversations.

Noted Documentary Filmmaker, Amar Maibam stated that the festival will go a long way in making Manipuri Cinema achieve global outreach. Further exuding confidence that the festival will help in shifting focus of common people from the notion that films are just meant forentertainment, he added that the festival will have a cumulative impact in terms of enhancing creativity and uniqueness of Manipuri cinema.

Meanwhile, cinephile Leingakpa Toijam appealed to the people to ensure maximum participation in the future editions of the festival. He exhorted the people to enjoy 'shared experience' of watching a movie together in the silver screen instead of watching films alone at home on TV.

On the concluding day, Laihui’s Mangka and the team enthralled the audience with some live songs.

Sunzu Bachaspatimayum
Secretary,
Manipur State Film Development Society, MSFDS