Over the past four decades, there has been a remarkable growth of Tangkhul cinema in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. The Tangkhul Naga Film Association (TNFA), a governing body of the district’s film industry, was formed in 1985 to encourage local film makers and artistes.
The biggest milestone for Tangkhul filmdom came in 1986 when the first- ever Tangkhul feature film Huinaya Phaningkakhui, directed by AS Somingam (Hunphun) and produced under the banner of Rosowor Productions, came out. Notably, the film with Chonchon Raleng (Hunphun) and Ngayaisin Shangh (Shirui) as the leading casts was released by P. Peter, the then president of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL).
Later in the year 1986, the Lions Club, Tashar also produced and released another feature film Hanungfalo Aphinao.
New Wave Spawned
Since then, there has been no looking back. The development opened a new wave of creative expression and served as an inspiration for many aspiring local filmmakers. Over the years, a number of feature films, documentaries, and even experimental films have been produced by a wide range of local filmmakers.
Today, TNFA has established itself as the major platform for the local filmdom with more than 30 movie production houses under it producing and releasing over a hundred movies till now.
To further propel Tangkhul cinema into the limelight, TNFA is gearing up to host its Tangkhul Naga Film Festival (TNFF) 2023 in Ukhrul district headquarters.
TNFF 2023 from Dec 14
“Taking place on December 14-15 at the public grounds, TNFF 2023 will be a platform for local talents to showcase their films to a larger audience and also, interact with other filmmakers from across the region,” TNFA president Yl Ravins said in a recent press conference in Ukhrul town.
He said TNFF 2023 is all set to become a larger spectacle than ever before. “Though several Tangkhul film festivals had been held in recent years, this is going to be a mega event like never before and will be a path-breaking event for the Tangkhul filmmakers and artistes alike,” he said.
Mission & Vision
Ravins further accentuated the festival’s mission and vision, explaining that it is aimed to produce meaningful Tangkhul films and enrich the arts through films, while also promoting the talent of Tangkhul professionals in the field of filmmaking.
“The festival is to tell the stories of the Tangkhul people worldwide and make sure that their stories are heard and acknowledged by the global audience,” he exuded.
TNFF 2023 Awards
During the festival, as many as 10 awards will be presented to the most noteworthy individuals, recognizing film-making, direction, acting, editing, makeup, cinematography and costume.
He went on to inform that an organising committee has been constituted and it has also tied up with various film personalities from Manipur and other states from the North East. “This to ensure that the festival reaches a larger audience and in doing so, the festival is envisioned to become a major stepping stone for local aspiring filmmakers, while also raising awareness on the need to preserve the Tangkhul culture and customs through cinematic storytelling,” he added.
Nepal’s Topden to Perform
He also revealed the committee is working to rope in well-known artistes from Manipur and the outside. “One such artiste is Sonam Topden from Kathmandu with whom an agreement has been signed for performing during the festival. Similar agreements would soon be signed with other artistes and the process is ongoing at the moment,” he disclosed.
The Tangkhul Naga Film Association is affiliated to All Tribals’ Film Organisation, Manipur (ATFOM). In 2014, TNFA had once changed its nomenclature to Tangkhul Music and Film Association (TMFA) but, decided to retain its original name later in 2016.
