Ishanou is a 1990 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. The movie stars Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangabam Tomba in the lead roles. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. In 2023, it was recognised as a "World Classic" by the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and it was the only film selected from India for the event for that year. The movie was first aired in Doordarshan and later released in Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 6 July 1990.
Phijigee Mani is a 2011 Indian Meitei language film directed by O. Gautam, co-written and produced by Takhelchangbam Ongbi Medha Sharmi, under the banner of Radha Govind Films. It stars an ensemble cast including Gurumayum Bonny, Abenao Elangbam and Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri and Best Supporting Actress awards at the 59th National Film Awards. Phijigee Mani was also selected for Indian Panorama of 42nd International Film Festival of India 2011.
Nangna Nokpa Yengningi is a 2015 Indian Meitei language film directed by Ajit Ningthouja, written by Herojit Naoroibam and produced by Th. (O) Bedamani Devi, presented by Poknapham. It stars Bonium Thokchom, and Soma Laishram in the lead roles. The film was released on 6 November 2015 at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT).
Eikhoi Pabunggi is a 2016 multi-starrer comedy Indian Meitei language film directed by Hemanta Khuman and written by Binoranjan Oinam. The film features Denny Likmabam, Leishangthem Tonthoi, Bala Hijam, Eshita Yengkhom, Biju Ningombam, Ithoi Oinam, Suraj Sharma Laimayum, Pilot and Mukabala (Loya) in the lead roles. The film was released on 17 September 2016 at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal.
Pallepfam is a 2014 Indian Meitei language film produced and directed by Wanglen Khundongbam. The film features Redy Yumnam, Leishangthem Tonthoi and Apsara Anoubam in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Dr. Moirangthem Achumba. Pallepfam is Wanglen Khundongbam's debut film. The movie was selected in the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2015 under the section New Horizon from the North East.
Yenning Amadi Likla is a 2007 Indian Meitei language film directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba and produced by SURVI, under the banner of Nongin Films. It stars Muru Ningthoujam, Huirem Seema, Lairenjam Olen and Reshmi Samom in the lead roles. The story of the film was written by Moirangthem Inao. The film was made in 16 mm and blown up in 35 mm. It was processed at Prasad Laboratory, Chennai.
Leipaklei is a 2012 Indian Meitei language film directed and produced by Aribam Syam Sharma. It stars Leishangthem Tonthoi in the title role. The story of the film was written by Arambam Samarendra and screenplay by Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi. Leipaklei was screened on the inaugural day of 5th Guwahati Film Festival 2012. It was also screened at the 18th Kolkata International Film Festival and Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) held at Jeonju, South Korea. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 60th National Film Awards.
Eidee Kadaida is a 2014 Indian Meitei language film directed by O. Gautam and produced by Bigyani Hidangmayum, under the banner of Nilahari Films. The film features Gokul Athokpam, Abenao Elangbam and Leishangthem Tonthoi in the lead roles. The movie was premiered at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC), Palace Compound on 31 January 2014 and Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal on 19 April 2014.
Imagi Ningthem is a 1981 Indian Meitei language film directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and written by M. K. Binodini Devi. It won the Golden Montgolfiere at the Festival des 3 Continents, Nantes in 1982. The film was also screened at many International Film Festivals, which include Denver International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Montreal International Film Festival and International Film Festival of India. It won two awards at the 29th National Film Awards.
Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was a writer from the Northeastern Indian state of Manipur. She wrote in Meiteilon under the mononym Binodini. She was best known for her 1976 historical novel Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979. Its English translation, ThePrincess and the Political Agent, was published as a Penguin Modern Classic in 2020 by Penguin Random House India.
Eigi Kona is a 2019 Indian Meitei language 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.
Chatledo Eidi is a 2000 Indian Meitei language film directed and produced by Makhonmani Mongsaba under the banner of Sangai Films. It is based on the famous radio play Chatledo Eidi Meigee Ching Puduna by Moirangthem Inao. The film was selected for Indian Panorama of the 32nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2001. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 48th National Film Awards.
Magi Matambakta is a 2018 Indian Meitei language film directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba and produced by Sunita Kapoor. The movie was selected for Bengaluru International Film Festival 2018; Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai, 2020 and Delhi International Film Festival 2020. The film won the Best Manipuri Film at the 2nd Jharkhand International Film Festival Awards (JIFFA) 2019.
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.
Oken Amakcham is an Indian film director, music director and actor who works in Manipuri films. He started his career in theatre and performing arts. He is a recipient of the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri for the movie Mayophygee Macha at the 42nd National Film Awards. In 2002, he directed Lammei which marked the beginning of a digital era in Manipuri cinema. He took the role of music director in many of his movies. Cheina, Tellanga Mamei, Nungshithel are some of his notable films. He had been a jury member of 58th National Film Awards.
Mayophygee Macha is a 1994 Indian Meitei language film written by M. K. Binodini Devi and directed by Oken Amakcham. R.S. Joycee and Makhonmani Mongsaba were cast in the lead roles. It is produced by Thoungamba and Thouyangba for P.K. Films. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Manipuri at the 42nd National Film Awards. It is a celluloid movie.
Aronba Wari is a 2020 Indian Meitei language film directed by OC Meira and produced by Rajkumari Nalini Devi, under the banner of Seuti Films. It stars Shilheiba Ningthoujam, Suraj Ngashepam, Bala Hijam and Sushmita Mangsatabam in the lead roles. The movie is based on Sarungbam Binodini Devi's novel Minoktugi Marumda. It was initially slated to be released on 21 March 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was premiered on 11 October 2020 at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal.
Eewai (English: The Ripple) is a 2022 non-feature Indian Meitei language 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.
Meitei cinema, also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language, widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" and "Hollywood".
