North East India Film Festival Begins in Manipur, Showcasing Films from Three States
The 3rd North East India Film Festival (NEIFF) 2026 commenced on Saturday at Tanthapolis Cinema in Imphal, bringing together filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from across the northeastern region.
The two-day festival features nine films from three northeastern states—four from Assam, four from Manipur, and one from Meghalaya. The event will conclude on Sunday after a series of film screenings and award presentations.
Festival Inauguration
The festival was inaugurated by Paonam Gunindro, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture.
The event is jointly organised by THOUNA, the Department of Information and Public Relations Manipur, and the All Manipur Film Producers Association.
The festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Films Screened on the First Day
On the opening day, several films were screened, representing diverse storytelling from the region. These included:
• The Check Post, produced and directed by Mahesh Konsam
• Ha Lyngkha Bneng, directed by Pradip Kurbah
• Romantic Affairs, directed by Monjul Baruah
• Laininghan Naoria Phullo, directed by Rakesh Moirangthem
Full Festival Film Line-up
The festival showcases both feature and non-feature films, highlighting the creative diversity of the region. The films included in the lineup are:
• Collage
• Kangbo Aloti
• Ha Lyngkha Bneng
• Noi Kotha
• Romantic Affairs
• Toy Gun
• The Check Post
• Phouoibee
• Laininghan Naoria Phullo
Awards and Recognition
A total of eight awards will be presented during the festival. Each award carries a citation, statuette, and cash prize.
The categories include:
• Best Feature Film
• Best Non-Feature Film
• Best Director (Feature Film)
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Best Sound
• Best Screenplay (Feature Film)
• Hon’ble Jury Award
Additionally, the jury may grant a Special Mention to a film or an individual for outstanding contribution.
Promoting Northeast Cinema
The North East India Film Festival aims to promote regional cinema and provide a platform for filmmakers from the northeastern states to showcase their work. The event highlights stories rooted in the culture, traditions, and social realities of the region.
By bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences, the festival continues to strengthen the growing film industry of Northeast India, while encouraging collaboration and creative exchange among emerging and established filmmakers.
