Paban Kumar Cannes-bound
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2011: Award winning documentary and television director of Manipur Haobam Paban kumar has been selected by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to participate in this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Paban Kumar, along with five other film makers of India enlisted by the Ministry will leave for the French resort town to attend the Festival being held from May 12 till 18 .

Paban Kumar, will be the second Manipuri to rub shoulders with the who's who of global film celebrities with noted film maker Aribam Syam Sharma being the first from the State to have made a mark at one of the world's grandest film festivals, with his much acclaimed short film 'Eshanou' .

It is said that on behalf of the ministry, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) ltd is setting up an 'India Pavilion' at the Cannes festival.

About three months back, Paban's short film 'Mr India' was screened at the Asiada film festival in Kazakhstan receiving global admiration.

The 47-minute documentary film had also won the prestigious 'Swarna Kamal' award at the 57th national film festival.

(File) Haobam Paban Kumar

"I'm so happy with the inclusion of my name in the list of six Indians selected for the Cannes.

I hope I'll get a new taste in the film world and gain tons of experience after joining it," said the young documentary film-maker adding, "For the Cannes, I'll leave Imphal on Thursday" .

Paban Kumar, who resides at Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai said, "primary objective of our participation in the Cannes according to NFDC's note is to promote the brand of Indian cinemas with emphasis on its linguistic, cultural, regional diversity, profiling upcoming and emerging talent and exploring partnerships" .

Besides, Paban Kumar, an alumni of Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute Kolkata, the other five Indian filmmakers selected for the Cannes include Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Anusha Rizvi, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar and Sekhar Kummula.

It may be noted that film on the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA-1958) directed by him was also nominated for the 'Swarna Kamal' or the Golden Lotus award in the best non-feature film category in the 56th national film awards 2008 .

Paban's other documentary films 'Kangla', and 'A cry in the dark' also earned him international recognition including winning the Fipresci prize at the Mumbai International Film Festival (Miff) 2006 .

His diploma film "Ngaihak Lambida" was selected for the prestigious Indian Panorama IFFI 2007 .

It was also screened at the 21st Singapore International Film Festival 2007 and won the best short film award at the Cine ASA International film festival, Guwahati 2009 .