IT News
Imphal, Feb 15:
The critically acclaimed Manipuri film Oneness has secured four major nominations at the upcoming Prag Cine Awards Northeast 2025, scheduled to be held in March. The film, known for its bold storytelling and representation of queer themes, continues to garner recognition in the regional film industry.
Oneness has been nominated in the following categories:
Best Film – Northeast – Producers: Roushil Singla & Priyakanta Laishram
Best Director – Northeast – Priyakanta Laishram
Best Actor – Male – Northeast – Priyakanta Laishram
Best Actor – Female – Northeast – Maya Choudhury
Notably, veteran actress Maya Choudhury has received her first-ever nomination for Best Actress in her 25-year career, marking a significant achievement in Manipuri cinema.
Directed and co-produced by Priyakanta Laishram, Oneness is the first Manipuri feature film to focus on a same-sex relationship, a subject rarely explored in regional cinema. The film’s production encountered multiple challenges, including difficulties in casting, financial constraints, and societal pushback. However, despite these obstacles, the film was completed in 2024 and has since gained widespread critical acclaim for its brave storytelling and nuanced depiction of queer identities.
The film made its world premiere at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024, South Asia’s largest queer film festival, before being officially selected for the Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2024. More recently, it was screened in the Manipur Matinee Section at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF) 2024 and has secured a place in the Competitive Section at the 2nd Northeast India Film Festival Manipur 2025. These selections highlight the film’s growing recognition within both queer and mainstream film circles.
Following its festival run, Oneness had its theatrical premiere on December 15, 2024, at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal. The film later had an extended run at Tanthapolis Cinema and KUMECS Cinema in Imphal, marking a crucial step for Manipuri cinema in bringing LGBTQ+ narratives to a broader audience.
With its four nominations at the Prag Cine Awards Northeast 2025, Oneness has cemented its status as a groundbreaking film that not only challenges societal norms but also paves the way for greater inclusivity in regional cinema. As anticipation builds for the awards ceremony, the film’s journey stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of storytelling in Northeast India.
