The following is a list of notable films made in Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language), by the Maniwood (Manipuri cinema industry), in alphabetical order.
Soma Laishram is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Manipuri films. She is a native of Imphal, Manipur. Nurei, Hoo Chaage, Loibataare Ta Raju, and Chanu IPS are some of her famous movies. In September 2021, Laishram joined the Republican Party of India - Athawale (RPI-A) and assumed the post of state unit president of its youth girls’ wing.
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 and M.A. Singh's Langlen Thadoi to Oken Amakcham's Lammei and Haobam Paban Kumar's Loktak Lairembee and many others, Manipuri cinema, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has grown in both its form and culture.
Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was a writer from the Northeastern Indian state of Manipur. She wrote in Meiteilon under the mononym Binodini. Her 1976 historical novel Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979. The book's English translation, ThePrincess and the Political Agent, was published in 2020 as a Penguin Modern Classic by Penguin Random House India.
Leimarel Sidabi or Leimalel Sitapi is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is the highest female divinity in the Meitei pantheon. She is the goddess of earth, of nature and the household. She is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe.
Eigi Kona is a 2019 Manipuri film directed by Bobby Wahengbam and Maipaksana Haorongbam and produced by Dr. K. Sushila Leima, under the banner of Luwang Apokpa Mamikol Productions. The film was premiered at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound in 2019. Eigi Kona was selected for Indian Panorama of the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2020. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 67th National Film Awards.
Makhonmani Mongsaba is an Indian author, actor, producer and director from Imphal, Manipur. He got his doctorate degree in Manipuri from Manipur University. In 2013, he won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his book Chinglon Amadagi Amada, a travelogue. He published the book Matamgi Manipur:The First Manipuri Feature Film by Bobby Wahengbam under the name Angomningthou Preservation and Documentation. It won the Best Book on Cinema at the 65th National Film Awards 2018 and both the writer and the publisher received the Swarna Kamal award.
Oinam Gautam Singh is an Indian film director and editor who works in Manipuri films. He started his career in Manipuri cinema as an editor and later took up direction since more than a decade. One of the successful filmmakers in Manipuri Cinema, he is the recipient of many awards, including a National Film Award for his 2011 movie Phijigee Mani. Gautam has worked under eminent film personalities like Aribam Syam Sharma and Oken Amakcham. He had been a Jury Member of Indian Panorama for 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.
Ima Machet Icha Tangkhai is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Khoibam Homeshwori and produced by Chingsubam Khumanleima for Luwang Films. It stars Gokul Athokpam, Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam, Soma Laishram and Luwangthoibi Chanu. The movie was released on 7 November 2021 at Manipur State Film Development Society in the Palace Compound, Imphal, with MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba attending as the chief guest. It was also screened at the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
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 Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal 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 Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal on 12 July 2024. It was also theatrically released on 24 August 2024 at Kumecs Cinema, Kakwa.
Tharoi Ahambei Mahao is a 2022 Manipuri film written and produced by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Khoibam 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 Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal 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 Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal on 4 June 2022.
Awaiba Mapu is a 2022 Manipuri film written and produced by Ranjit Ningthouja and directed by Khoibam Homeshwori, under the banner of Home Films Manipur. It stars Bonium Thokchom and Sonia Samjetsabam in the lead roles. The film was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, Imphal on 3 July 2022. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certified the film in 2021 but was released in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nungshi Keithel is a 2021 Manipuri film directed by Mangal Chabungbam and produced by Sunil Thokchom under the banner of Ngangkhaleima Pictures. It stars Silheiba Ningthoujam and Biju Ningombam in the lead roles. The movie was released at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound on 26 December 2021. The film is an adaptation of Ranjit Ningthouja's famous Shumang leela Maogi Ebai. It was also screened at the Sangai Film Festival 2022, which was organised as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
Denny Likmabam is an Indian actor from Manipur. His films include Phairenthagi Angaoba Leichil, Kaorage, Khuji, Nungshi Hekta Hairage, Hi Sweety Hello Preety and Hiyai.
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 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.