The Cinema of Manipur is the film industry based in Manipur, India. It includes not only Meitei language movies but all the films made in different languages of the different communities in Manipur. The Manipuri film industry was born when Matamgi Manipur by Debkumar Bose was released on 9 April 1972. From Aribam Syam Sharma's Paokhum Ama, the first colour Manipuri film (1983), M.A Singh's Langlen Thadoi, the first full-length colour Manipuri film (1984) to Oken Amakcham's Lammei, the first Manipuri digital film (2002), Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.
Haobam Paban Kumar is an Indian filmmaker from state of Manipur. Kumar's films and documentaries have been screened in several places across the globe.
Irom Maipak was an Indian cinematographer from Imphal, Manipur. He was the founding president of the All Manipur Cinematographers Association. Maipak had worked for more than three decades in Films and Television industry. He received the prestigious National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography at the 49th National Film Awards.
Bobby Wahengbam is an Indian filmmaker, producer, writer and film critic known for his works in Manipuri films. He is the recipient of several accolades, including two National Film Awards. As a film critic, he contributed regularly for local and national newspapers for the last two decades, where some of his writings have been translated into other languages as well. Now, he regularly writes as a cinema critic for The People's Chronicle, a local English daily, every Sunday.
Larei Lathup is a 2021 Manipuri film written and directed by Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) on 13 November 2021. It was the opening film (fiction) at the Festival of Cinemas of Manipur 2022, a 15-day long multi-lingual film festival organised by MSFDS in April 2022.
Eewai (English: The Ripple) is a 2022 non-feature Manipuri film directed by Khwairakpam Bishwamittra. It is produced by Samir Thingbaijam under the banner of Nongdol Mamikol. The film stars Leishangthem Tonthoi in the lead role. It was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal on 26 June 2022. The film got official selections at the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022, Druk International Film Festival 2022 (Bhutan), Festivus Film Fest Canada 2022, Dadashaheb Phalke International Film Festival India 2023 and Gangtok International Film Festival 2022. It was screened at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival in 'Short and Documentary Panorama section' on 19th and 21st December 2022 at Nandan-III and Sichir Mancha, Kolkata. The film was certified by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022.Tonthoi won the Best Actor (Female) for her film Eewai at the Global Independent Film Festival of India, 2022 held on 30th November, 2022 at Rabindra Okakura Bhawan, Salt Lake, Kolkata, India and at Goa International Film Competition-GIFC and Best Actor (Female) NexGn Fest as the Finalist and Best Director Finalist Khwairakpam Bishwamittra at the NexGn Fest.
Khwairakpam Bishwamittra is an Indian film director, actor and script writer who works in theatre and Manipuri films. He first appeared on silver screen in the 1996 hit film Kanaga Hinghouni, where he co-directed with Chan Heisnam. Some of the famous films he directed include Kaorage, Torei and Sur Da Ngaojabee. He is also a renowned playwright of Manipuri Shumang Leelas and stage plays produced by AIR Imphal and Doordarshan DDK Imphal. As of 2022, his non-feature Eewai got official selection at the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022. Eewai was screened at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival in Short and Documentary Panorama section on 19 and 21 December 2022 at Nandan-III and Sichir Mancha, Kolkata.
2023 in Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei architecture, Meitei cinema, Meitei cuisine, Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei language, Meitei literature, Meitei music, Meitei religion, Meitei script, etc.
Akangba Nachom is a 2022 Manipuri film written by Binoranjan Oinam and directed by Inaocha Khundrakpam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Artina Thoudam in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 23 October 2022.
Eigi Nupi Tamnalai is a 2024 Manipuri film written and directed by Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam, Gepelina Mayanglambam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 12 July 2024. It was also screened for a week from 24 August 2024 at Kumecs Cinema, Kakwa.
Ashengba Eral is a 2023 Manipuri film directed by OC Meira and produced by Kshetrimayum Subadani, under the banner of Dosuyali Films and presented by Leishang. It stars Kshetrimayum Rashi in the lead role. The movie is based on the book of the same title. The film was premiered on 26 February 2023 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal.
Andro Dreams is a 2023 non-feature Manipuri documentary film directed by Meena Longjam. The film is produced by Airameen Media and Janis Vishwanath. It was the opening film in the Indian Panorama Non-Feature Film section at the 54th International Film Festival of India 2023.
Samadon is a 2022 Manipuri film written by Herojit Naoroibam and directed by Inaocha Khundrakpam. It stars Daya Kshetrimayum, Danube Kangjam and Ratana Kshetrimayum in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 5 November 2022.
Tharoi Ahambei Mahao is a 2022 Manipuri film written and produced by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Homeshwori, under the banner of Home Films Manipur. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Ithoi Oinam in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 30 April 2022. It is based on the Shumang Kumhei of the same title.
Khullaksha is a 2022 Manipuri film written and directed by Satyajit BK and produced by Barun Elangbam under the banner of Pibarel Films. It stars Bobo Ningthoukhongjam, Ballondy Yumnam, Melory Wahengbam and Laitomsha in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Corporation (MSFDS) on 4 June 2022.
Silheiba Ningthoujam is an Indian actor who appears in Manipuri films. He has won a number of accolades, including a Manipur State Film Award. His main mentor in acting and cinema is his eldest brother and celebrated filmmaker, Ojitbabu Ningthoujam. He started portraying lead roles in movies, starting with the 2014 film Leikai Lallumba. His famous movies include Korounganba series, Leikai Lallumba, Wakchingi Len, Ei Actor Natte and Larei Lathup.
Ithoi Oinam is an Indian film actress who predominantly appears in Manipuri films. She started her film acting career as a child artist right from her school days. Oinam Sanou, a celebrated filmmaker, was the man who groomed his daughter Ithoi to the film industry. Ithoi is best known for her role in films like Amukta Ani, Eikhoi Pabunggi, Nungshi Feijei and Tharoi Ahambei Mahao. As of 2023, she won the Best Actor in a Leading Role - Female Award at the 15th Manipur State Film Awards.
