Manipur: Film Director Ashok Veilou's Film Wins Best Film Award at KIFF 2018

Manipur: Film Director Ashok Veilou's Film Wins Best Film Award at KIFF 2018

Guwahati: A young and energetic film director Ashok Veilou from Manipur’s Senapati district has brought laurels to the state. A short film written and directed by him won the best short film award in the week-long Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2018 which concluded late Saturday night.

The 30-minute film called ‘Look At The Sky’ was written and directed by Ashok Veilou competed with 11 other films, including Shaqyo Dey’s ‘Head’ and Gaurav Madan’s ‘Sambavtaha

The award carries a citation, a memento of Golden Royal Bengal Tiger and a cash prize of Rs five lakhs.

The film narrates about a man outcast by his village for not supporting the village candidate in the election. He shows courage and fights for his right. The film features Ngoale Hepunii village in the lead role.

It is the second time that Ashok has won award at KIFF. His ‘Tou-Tai’ (Seed) had won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger for Best Short Film in KIFF 2016.

The 27-year-old director who recently completed his three years PG in Direction and Screenplay Writing from the prestigious National Film School of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.

The film which fetch him the award in the Kolkata festival was written and produced as a practical work during his PG course with shooting equipment and crew from outside the State.

It may be mentioned that Ashok’s elder brother Alexander Leo Pou’s documentary film ‘Pony Tale’ also competed in the documentary category of the KIFF 2018 which showcased 171 feature films and 150 shorts and documentaries from 70 countries.

But the 26-minute film which tells the tale of the ponies of Manipur of today, could not make it to the award tally.

Alexander who is presently serving as the Film Facilitation Officer (Eastern Region) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India speaking to media said that convincing village elders who hardly knew cinemas besides bringing all the equipments and crew from other parts of the country in a small village for making a film was not an easy task.

“It’s an awesome feeling when your work is recognized,” feels Alexander who is also alumni of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.

The Kolkatta International Film Festival, which had a humble beginning in 1995, started spreading its wings in 2011 after the Government of West Bengal extended its support to the festival. The Film festival is now a Flagship event of the government of West Bengal.

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