Arijit Sen

#OutlookMagazine | It was late night in Manipur on February 22 when India’s cinema lovers found new reason to celebrate—away in London, Manipuri film Boong, helmed by director Lakshmipriya Devi, had just won the Best Children’s and Family Film Award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) ceremony. “Lakshmipriya—or LP or Bembem, as I call her—is my first cousin,” says Somi Roy, a film curator and author based in Imphal. “This is a stunning award. By far the highest honour a Manipuri film has achieved on an international stage. Being an Indian film to win a BAFTA is even more astonishing. I saw this film develop through the years and it was an extremely challenging task to do this.” The irony of a Manipuri film bringing glory to India is difficult to miss. At a time when Manipur is split due to a brutal ethnic conflict between the majoritarian Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities—it began in May 2023, and has led to at least 250 deaths, massive displacement of people and violence against women—this remarkable achievement not only puts the spotlight on the resilience and creativity of Manipur’s filmmakers, but also marks a defining moment for regional Indian cinema.