The Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Manipur, is delighted to announce the official selection of Nashon Pikna (Whispers of the Shadow), a Manipuri feature film directed by noted filmmaker Romi Meitei, in the Indian Cinema Now section of the 31st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), scheduled to be held from 11 to 18 December 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The selection is a significant recognition for Manipuri cinema, placing the film among just seven Indian feature films selected for this section at one of the country’s most respected international film festivals. Organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, IFFK provides an important platform for Indian and international cinema, bringing diverse cinematic voices and perspectives to a wider audience.
Nashon Pikna explores the far-reaching impact of small arms on society and how the presence of guns reshapes human behaviour, relationships and even imagination. The narrative unfolds across two parallel worlds—a remote village and a distant city—which are connected not through their characters but through a shared moral fracture, with the gun itself serving as the central character. The film examines the social and human consequences of violence through an unconventional narrative approach.
This selection marks another important milestone in Romi Meitei’s filmmaking journey and his association with IFFK. His earlier feature film, Eikhoigi Yum (Our Home), competed in the International Competition section of the 27th IFFK in 2022 and received two prestigious recognitions: the FIPRESCI Award for Best International Film and the NETPAC Jury Special Mention Award. The film’s success brought considerable recognition to Manipuri cinema on the international festival circuit.
The 31st edition of IFFK will feature 14 films in its International Competition, 12 films in the Malayalam Cinema Today section and seven films in Indian Cinema Now. The festival has also introduced a new Critics’ Discovery section, showcasing five selected Malayalam films.
Its association with international film organisations and independent juries, including FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) and NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema), further strengthens its standing as an important platform for serious cinematic engagement.
The MSFDS warmly congratulates Romi Meitei and the entire cast and crew of Nashon Pikna on this achievement. The Society takes particular pride in this recognition, as Romi Meitei is also a member of the Executive Board of MSFDS.
The continued presence of Manipuri films at prominent national and international festivals reflects the creative vitality, diversity and growing reach of filmmaking in Manipur. MSFDS recognises the dedication of filmmakers like Romi Meitei, whose work continues to carry the stories and voices of Manipur to wider audiences.
MSFDS wishes the entire team of Nashon Pikna every success at the 31st IFFK and congratulates them for keeping the flag of Manipuri cinema flying high on the national and international stage.