MSFDS hails BAFTA win of Boong as turning point for Manipuri Cinema

The Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) recorded its appreciation for the historic BAFTA win of Boong, the debut feature written and directed by Manipuri filmmaker Laksmipriya Devi.
The acknowledgement was made during the 16th Development Committee Meeting of the Society, chaired by Art and Culture Commissioner H. Gyanprakash Singh. The meeting was attended by senior members of the state’s film fraternity, including Oken Amakcham, Romi Meitei, Wungkakhing Makang and Kh. Kuleswar Singh, Chairman of Film Forum Manipur, along with Joint Director G. Dharma Das representing the Department of Art and Culture, and MSFDS Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum.
The Committee hailed the film’s victory at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards(BAFTA) in the Children and Family category, describing it as a watershed moment for Manipuri cinema and Indian filmmaking. Boong is the first Indian film to receive a BAFTA in this category, an honour widely regarded as Britain’s equivalent of the Academy Awards.
Set against the fragile emotional landscape of childhood in conflict-affected Manipur, Boong tells the tender story of a young boy navigating friendship, fear, and fractured innocence amid social unrest. With quiet realism and lyrical restraint, Laksmipriya crafts a narrative that speaks to universal childhood experiences while remaining deeply rooted in the soil of Manipur. The film’s international recognition affirms the power of regional storytelling to transcend geography and language.
Committee members observed that the achievement comes at a time when Manipur continues to face social and ethnic tensions.
In such a climate, Boong stands as a reminder that art can restore dignity, reframe narratives, and return global attention to the state for its creativity rather than its crises
Chairing the meeting, H. Gyanprakash Singh stated that Laksmipriya Devi’s accomplishment has brought national recognition and placed Manipur prominently on the global cinematic stage. Members also expressed the view that with sustained institutional backing, improved infrastructure and supportive policy measures, the state’s film industry holds significant potential for further growth. They described the BAFTA win as not only a personal achievement for the filmmaker but also a defining moment for the advancement of Manipuri cinema.