Imphal: The second edition of the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF) will be held from February 6-9 in Manipur’s Imphal.
The festival has been jointly organised by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI) in collaboration with Film Forum Manipur.
Altogether 57 films, including 13 Manipuri films, will be screened during the festival. The festival will showcase 33 international films and 16 non-fiction films.
The Manipuri classic ‘Eshanou (The Choosen One)’ will be the opening film of the festival.
Other Manipuri films such as Sanakheithel, Yairipok Thambalnu, and Chatledo Eidi will also be screened.
Festival director Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that the films will be screened at four cinema halls, including the one at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS).
There will also be a competition in two sections – fiction and non-fiction.
Sunzu said that 11 feature films, which include seven international films and four Indian films including one Manipuri, will compete in the fiction category.
In the non-fiction section, the competition will be among 10 films, which include six international films.
A 23-minute long short experimental film titled ‘Delusional Decay’ will also be screened during the festival, Sunzu added.
“The festival will be an opportunity to recreate our image and rectify the stereotypes that have clouded the beautiful state,” Sunzu said.
Some Manipuri films have been digitized as part of the national mission to preserve the cinematic heritage of the country and four among them will be screened during the festival as ‘Remastered: The Light of Manipur Cinema’.
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The digitized classic films that will be screened are Ishanou, Sanakeithel, Yairipok Thambalnu, and Chatledo Eidi.
Apart from screenings, various programmes, including film pitching classes, a master class on short films, a direction class and panel discussion, will take place during the 4-day festival.
