Imphal, Nov 23 (NationPress) The stage at the Palace auditorium of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), a government initiative in Manipur, is poised to come alive tomorrow for an exciting five-day cinematic event.

The seventh edition of the Sangai Film Festival-2025 will revive beloved narratives while merging them with modern storytelling, welcoming cinephiles, students, and families to partake in films that celebrate the past and welcome the future.

According to MSFDS Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, the festival is entirely free of charge, eliminating barriers such as tickets, and fostering a communal love for cinema.

Scheduled from November 24 to 28, attendees can anticipate a captivating exploration of the evolving essence of Manipuri cinema, where historical milestones intersect with the innovative voices of a bold new wave of filmmakers.

The festival's agenda includes an impressive lineup — selections from the Indian Panorama, featuring the critically acclaimed films 'Oitharei' by Dinesh Naorem and 'Andro Dreams' by Meena Longjam.

It will also showcase the multi-award-winning feature 'Oneness' by Priyakanta Laishram.

Bachaspatimayum noted that ten short films by up-and-coming filmmakers will be featured in the 'New Voices' section, providing fresh insights and storytelling techniques.

For film history enthusiasts, six digitally remastered Manipuri celluloid classics will be shown under the 'Rediscovering Manipur' segment, in partnership with the NFAI (National Film Archive of India) and MSFDS, including Aribam Syam Sharma's 'Orchids'.

This year’s festival expands its reach beyond regional cinema with four internationally acclaimed documentaries: 'And Towards Happy Alleys', 'Dolls Do Not Die', 'Life is Beautiful', and the Sundance-winning 'A House Made of Splinters', as mentioned by Bachaspatimayum.

In collaboration with DocEdge Kolkata and the Documentary Resource Initiative, the selection brings to the screen global conflicts, memories, dreams, and tales of survival.

Enhancing the experience, a thought-provoking discussion titled 'From Idea to Screen: Financing & Finding Audience' will feature prominent film figures Nilotpal Majumdar, Ranajit Ray, and Manipur's own Romi Meitei, moderated by filmmaker and journalist Bobo Khuraijam.

This session will allow aspiring filmmakers to engage, ask questions, and glean insights from seasoned professionals about the often challenging journey of filmmaking.

The festival is organized by MSFDS, supported by the Tourism Department and the Department of Art and Culture of the Manipur government, and will commence on Monday (November 24).

According to the MSFDS Secretary, film aficionados will also have the chance to interact with both seasoned veterans and emerging talents during Q&A sessions post-screening — moments of genuine discourse where creators share their struggles, sacrifices, and the unwavering passion that sustains cinema.

In a world that often rushes by, the seventh Sangai Film Festival presents a five-day opportunity to gather in the dark, to feel, reflect, and celebrate Manipur, both on screen and in spirit, stated Bachaspatimayum.

Additionally, the Sangai Film Festival coincides with Manipur's annual Sangai Festival, a ten-day tourism event organized by the Tourism Department to enhance tourism and related economic activities.

The Sangai Tourism Festival commenced on Friday (November 21) at Hapta Kangjeibung in the capital, Imphal.

The festival is named after the state animal, the Sangai, a critically endangered brow-antlered deer found in the marshy wetlands of Keibul Lamjao National Park, located about 45 km from Imphal.