IMPHAL: The 2nd North East India Film Festival (NEIFF) 2025 ended on a high note with the celebration of the filmmaking success of North East filmmakers.
The Manipuri feature film Oitharei, directed by Dinesh Naorem and produced by Gibanlata Thokchom, took home the coveted Best Feature Film award. The award for the film marks the increasing dominance of Manipuri cinema in the filmmaking scenario of the North East.
In the non-feature section, Samiran Deka and Bhaskar Jyoti Das's Assamese film Where Is My Home bagged the Best Non-Feature Film award. The theme of home and belonging in the film touched the hearts of the jury members, leading them to give it the best award.
Some other significant winners were Amateurs (Assamese), which was directed by Dhiraj Kashyap and won the award for Best Direction. Debajit Ghayan won the award for Best Sound for Baghjan (Assam). The Best Screenplay award was awarded to Binoranjan Oinam for Langdai Ama (Manipuri), while Tarun Wang took home the Best Editing award for Laangoi. Joy Mekola won the Best Cinematography award for Oitharei, another testament to the technical strength of the film.
The festival also honored exceptional performances and efforts with special awards. Actor Narmada was awarded the Special Jury Award for her performance in Sunita. Moreover, The Legacy of 4 Generations was awarded a Special Mention in the Non-Feature Film category, and Sunita also received a Special Mention in the Feature Film category.
Spanning five days, the festival showcased a total of 28 films, including six Assamese productions. Screenings were held at multiple venues, including the City Convention Centre in Imphal, Tanthapolis Cinema in Lamphel, and the Library and Information Centre in Kakching. Out of the 28 films, 10 were shortlisted for various award categories.
The awards function was attended by former Manipur Environment and Climate Change Minister and present MLA Thongam Biswajit, who gave the winners citations and cash awards.
The event, which commenced on February 12 at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, was organized jointly by THOUNA, Manipur, in association with Film Forum Manipur and the Directorate of Information & Public Relations. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), highlighting the government's patronage of regional cinema and filmmaking.
With its successful fruition, NEIFF 2025 again offered a platform for North East filmmakers to present their talent and creativity, further bolstering the region's burgeoning film industry.
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