Imphal: Manipur is set to host the four-day National Tribal Film Festival from November 8 to 11, officials announced on Thursday.
The festival is being organised by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Manipur, in collaboration with the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department and the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), as part of the nationwide celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
TRI Director L. N. Kashung said the festival will be held with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
“Tribal Frames Manipur is a non-competitive festival designed to bring tribal filmmakers together, provide visibility, and create a platform for dialogue, learning, and cultural exchange,” he added.
The festival is open to all filmmakers, animators, and storytellers working on tribal themes. Films in any tribal language are eligible, provided they have English subtitles.
Only films released after January 1, 2020, can participate, and entries may include short films, feature-length films, documentaries, fiction, and animation.
“Tribal Frames Manipur 2025 offers a unique platform to showcase voices, stories, and visions from tribal communities,” Kashung said, urging filmmakers and storytellers to submit their work.
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Officials said the festival aims to promote cultural exchange, learning, and dialogue through cinema while highlighting tribal perspectives in India’s contemporary media landscape.
The event is expected to attract filmmakers, scholars, and audiences from across the country, further establishing Manipur as a hub for tribal arts and storytelling.
An official from the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department noted that Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda and runs from November 15, 2024, to November 15, 2025, celebrating the heritage and contributions of India’s tribal communities.