'Indian Panorama Film Festival Manipur with Retrospective of Aribam Shyam Sharma' begins

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 11: The 'Indian Panorama Film Festival Manipur with Retrospective of Aribam Shyam Sharma' commenced today at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound.
The festival which is to be held till December 15 has been organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in association with Directorate of Film Festivals and MSFDS.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by renowned filmmaker, Aribam Shyam Sharma, film critic and journalist Bitopan Borborah and Commissioner of Art & Culture, Government of Manipur as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Delivering the keynote address, secretary of MSFDS, B Sanju Sharma said that a remarkable change was brought in  Manipuri cinema on April 9, 1972 as the first Manipuri feature film-' Matam gi Manipur' was released on this day.
He continued that to mark this special day, it has been observed as 'Mami gi Numit' (Image Day).
He further informed that the Indian Panorama Film Festival Manipur is being conducted as a part of the yearlong Golden Jubilee celebration of Manipur Cinema which commenced on April 9 this year.
The public will get to know more about the life history of the renowned film maker Aribam Shyam Sharma and his relation with the Manipuri films during the festival, he added.
B Sanju Sharma also informed that the film 'Olangthagee Wangmadasu' which was shot in 16mm camera will be screened as similar to that of a 35mm film with the help of L Surjakanta Sharma, former chairman of Film Forum Manipur.
Also SN Chand Cine Archive and Museum has been opened during the ongoing golden jubilee celebration with an aim to safeguard the Manipuri films, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Aribam Shyam Sharma said that the Indian Panorama Film Festival is held every year organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in association with Directorate of Film Festivals by selecting 21 best films.
He informed that there are two forms of Indian film festival which are International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and National Film Awards and mentioned that "Imagi Ningthem" was the first Manipuri feature film which was included in Indian Panorama Film Festival in 1982.
The renowned film maker also narrated about his experiences in the Indian film festivals.
Further he appealed to the people of Manipur to support the film festival as it is a rare opportunity that the festival is being held in the State.
He also appealed earnestly to all film lovers to produce good and unique films.