Imphal, June 2: The fledgling Manipur film industry is all set to get a boost with the finalisation of a new film policy, likely to be announced soon by the Secular Progressive Front government . The government will soon announce two separate policies for culture and film, art and culture minister Moirangthem Nara Singh said today while inaugurating a festival of foreign films at Imphal’s Gandhi memorial auditorium.
“The policies, drafted after consultation with eminent culture and film personalities of the state, have got the administrative approval, but are waiting for the final nod from the cabinet,” Nara Singh said.
The policy will provide enough scope for promoting celluloid as well as films made in the digital format.
The interests of technicians, producers, artistes and directors would be protected under the policy to take the Manipuri film industry a big leap forward, the minister said.
“Aribam Shyam Sharma’s films like Imagee Ningthem earned international laurels. We can shine brighter if we pay serious attention to Manipuri films. The cultural policy would be the first of its kind in the country. We need the co-operation of all for its successful implementation,” he said.
After Hindi films were banned by the Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) some years ago in Manipur, digital films are making inroads into the market.
On an average, about 40 digital films are churned out every year.
However, the 35mm variety is a rarity in the state because of high costs. This has affected filmmakers like Sharma the most.
While welcoming the boom in digital films, the Grand Prix award-winning director urged the government to provide financial assistance to serious filmmakers.
“As digital films have no place in national or international competitions, we need to produce Manipuri films on celluloid,” Sharma said in his presidential speech at the inauguration of the film festival.
Sharma has also a piece of advice for the new crop of digital filmmakers — that they need to make serious films.
“If you imitate Hindi films, whose target is only box office collection, there is no future for Manipuri films,” he told the young directors.
The film festival, the first since 2000 in the state, is being organised by the Mamikol Academy of Moving Image of Imphal in memory of Chanamthabam Deepak Roy, one of the pioneers of Manipuri films.
More than 25 films will be screened at the weeklong festival.