4 films selected for Goa International festival

Imphal, Oct 21 : Giving another filip to the movement of motion pictures in the State, at least four Manipuri non-feature films have been selected for the ensuing 41st International film festival of India scheduled to be held at Goa from November 22 to December 2 .

Noted young film maker Haobam Pabankumar's two award winning filmsMr India and AFSPAare among the four selected films in the non feature film category of the Indian Panorama section of the Goa festival.

The other two films are Kh Nabakumar's 'The Victims' and Suvas E's 'Numit Tadri' (The sun is still not setting).

"I'm so glad to have both my films selected for the prestigious film festival and for the first time four Manipuri films have been picked up for the festival.

This has shown that Manipuri cinema has its requisite standards," Pabankumar said.

Mr India , the 47-minute documentary film portrays the life and works of Pradipkumar (40), who after trudging the difficult path of stigma and discrimination attached to people living with HIV/AIDS, bagged Mr Manipur title in 2007 and lots of laurels in the subsequent national competitions.

In the meantime, a Manipuri feature film ' Emagi Laman Singngamdre' directed by noted film maker Romi Meetei was screened for the first time outside Manipur at St John's auditorium, Bangalore on Sunday.

"The event was a success marked by a huge turnout.

Almost all of them enjoyed the event and was captivated by the movie.

They appreciated the organizers for putting the event together.

The feedback from the audience proved that there is indeed a market for Manipuri movies outside Manipur," Romi said.

In spite of several challenges, Manipuri films have been able to carve out a niche of its own.

To maintain the momentum, the Manipuri film industry needs to expand its market for Manipuri films.

A possible addition to the audience could be those 'Manipuris living outside Manipur', he added.

On the other hand, a week-long Asian film festival christened 'Asian Cinema Week 2010' is scheduled to kick off at GM Hall here from October 26 .