Imphal: The much-awaited 2nd edition of the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF) 2025 opened on Thursday bringing global and regional films together under a single platform in Imphal, Manipur.
Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Information and Public Relations, graced the festival at the City Convention in the presence of renowned Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma and chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh.
Organised by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in collaboration with Manipur State Film & Television Institute (MSFTI) under the aegis of the Art & Culture Department, Government of Manipur, the festival from February 6 to 9, will feature 54 films, including 38 international titles.
With a vision to elevate EIIFF as a premier international film festival in the region, this edition features an exceptional lineup of critically acclaimed films from global festivals alongside a dedicated showcase of cinema from Northeast India. Film packages include International Competition, World Lenses, Northeast Currents, Eikhoigi Classics, Eikhoigi Montage, Remastered Manipuri Cinema: The Light of Manipuri, and Manipuri Matinee.
Addressing the inaugural function, Festival director Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, said that the festival stands as a testament to the commitment of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who, as the Chairman of the Manipur State Film Development Society, has been instrumental in fostering a thriving cinematic ecosystem in Manipur and the Northeast.
“At a time when there exists an apprehension about visiting Manipur—fondly called the Land of Jewels—often overshadowed by narratives of conflict and mistrust, EIIFF is overwhelmed by the solidarity shown by creative minds from across the country and beyond. Your presence here reinforces the belief that cinema has the power to unite, to heal, and to inspire,” said Bachaspatimayum.
This festival is a celebration of inclusivity and the shared love for the art of motion-picture storytelling, offering a space to reconcile, to dream, and to build a hopeful future together, he added.
He further informed that for the first time in Northeast India, the festival introduces two Pitch Sessions where emerging talents will present their fiction and nonfiction projects to industry professionals, competing for funding opportunities amounting to Rs 8 Lakhs.
According to him, these pitches mark the culmination of rigorous project development mentorship labs, where eight nonfiction and five fiction projects have been nurtured by mentors who have urged filmmakers to discover and refine their unique cinematic languages.
He also informed that this year’s projects, across both fiction and nonfiction labs, reflect a deep love for the past while exploring contemporary experiences with fresh and compelling perspectives.
During the festival, four legendary digitised Manipuri films will be showcased. The films are Ishanou (The Chosen One) by Aribam Syam Sharma, Sanakeithel (Golden Market) by M.A. Singh, Yairipok Thambalnu by Banka Sharma, and Chatledo Eidi (Gone with a Heavy Heart) by Makhonmani Mongsaba.
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