Debutant Filmmakers Shine at 17th Manipur State Film Awards 2025; Dr. Arambam Lokendra Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
ART & CULTURE
In a heartening turn for Manipuri cinema, the 17th edition of the Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA) 2025 spotlighted the fresh and diverse voices of debutant filmmakers, while also honouring one of the most distinguished figures in Manipuri film history — Dr. Arambam Lokendra — with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
Organised by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), the annual awards recognized the cinematic achievements of 2024, with newcomers dominating the fiction category.
Laangoi, the winner of the Best Feature Award at the 17 MSFA 2025
Manoranjan Longjam, winner of the Best Director Award for his film Laangoi that also won the Best Feature Award at the 17 MSFA 2025
The State’s top honour for Best Feature Film went to Laangoi, directed by Manoranjan Longjam. A hard- hitting police drama, Laangoi follows a morally upright officer as he exposes a web of corruption while investigating a murder linked to drug trafficking. The film earned both critical acclaim and the cash prize of ₹2 lakhs. Manoranjam also was conferred the Best Director Award for his direction of Laangoi.
Bonny Sharma winner of the Best Supporting Actor (Male) for his role in Una Una which also won the Best Popular FIlm Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 17th MSFA 2025
Irel Luwang, debutant Director of Una Una which won the Best Popular FIlm Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 17th MSFA 2025
Soma Laishram whose nuanced actting earned her Special Jury Mention for her role in Una Una which also won the Best Popular FIlm Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 17th MSFA 2025
Priyakanta Laishram, debutant director of Oneness which won the Special Jury Award at the 17th MSFA 2025
Una Una, helmed by first-time director Irel Luwang, won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. A story of rekindled love set against the scenic backdrop of Ukhrul, the film stars Laishram Soma and debutant Thokchom Joy. Soma also received a Special Jury Mention for her nuanced performance. Priyakanta Laishram's Oneness, which tackles the struggles of a young queer man confronting familial rejection and societal intolerance, received the Special Jury Award. Inspired by a real-life incident, the film was noted for its emotional depth and bold storytelling.
Una Una, the film which bagged the Best Popular FIlm Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 17th MSFA 2025
Oitharei for which Dinesh Naorem bagged the Best Debut film of a Director at the 17th MSFA 2025
Suraj Meitei Ngashepam bagged the Best Lead Actor (Male) for his role in Oitharei at the 17th MSFA 2025
Director Dinesh Naorem was honoured with Best Debut Film of a Director for Oitharei (translated as “Help Me”), a moving narrative about a female survivor of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.
While fiction flourished, the non-fiction section saw limited recognition. Only two awards were conferred: The Legacy of 4 Generations, a documentary on legendary artist RKCS directed by Thiyam Debendra, won the Special Jury Award; and The Silent Performer, a short film by newcomer Huidrom Rakesh, received a Special Jury Mention.
Narmada Shougaijam bagged the Best Lead Actor (Female) for her role in the biographic feature film Sunita at the 17th MSFA 2025
In the Writing on Cinema category, the jury withheld the award for Best Book, but Ashangbam Netrajit was named Best Critic for his insightful contributions to Manipuri film discourse.
The most prestigious recognition — the MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award — was conferred on eminent scholar and cultural thinker Dr. Arambam Lokendra for his lifelong commitment and invaluable contributions to the growth and evolution of Manipuri cinema. The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Juries across categories included a host of respected names from Manipur’s film and cultural circles, including Dilip Mayengbam, R.K. Jnanranjan, Bobo Khuraijam, Sharatchand Thiyam, and Bobby Wahengbam. The Lifetime Achievement selection committee was chaired by Special Commissioner (Art & Culture) M. Joy Singh, IAS.
The 17th MSFA marks a promising chapter in Manipuri cinema, celebrating both the vitality of emerging storytellers and the enduring legacy of its pioneers. 50 percent of the fiction feature films entered at the 17th MSFA were directed by debutant film directors.
A hallmark of the 17th MSFA 2025 was the integrity and expertise demonstrated throughout the jurying process. The fiction category jury was chaired by national award-winning literary figure Dilip Mayengbam, and comprised an illustrious panel including R.K. Jnanranjan, a senior actor and filmmaker; Tayenjam Mema Devi, a trained dancer and actor; K. Bimol Sharma, a State Film Award-winning artist; Natasha Elangbam, a national award-winning filmmaker and associate professor of Mass Communication; and Th. Ramakanta Singh, an award-winning sound recordist. Each member brought a wealth of experience and discernment to the selection process.
In the non-feature and documentary section, the jury was led by acclaimed filmmaker Bobo Khuraijam, with fellow award-winning filmmaker Doren Oinam and state award-winning technician Shananda Phurailatpam serving as members. Their collective knowledge of cinema’s documentary and short forms ensured fair and critical evaluation.
The Writing on Manipuri Cinema category was presided over by Sahitya Akademi awardee Sharatchand Thiyam, alongside the respected actor and critic Narendra Ningombam, and Swarna Kamal award-winning writer and filmmaker Bobby Wahengbam. Their in-depth understanding of cinema and its intersections with literature and culture brought nuance to the jury’s assessment.
The Lifetime Achievement Award Selection Committee consisted of Special Commissioner (Art & Culture)
M. Joy Singh, IAS, as Chairman; Director, Department of Art & Culture; senior award-winning filmmaker and MSFDS Executive Board member Oken Amakcham; and Ngangbam Swarnajit Singh, a previous recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The selection was made following a careful deliberation of nominations received by MSFDS, ensuring that the honour went to a figure truly representative of Manipuri cinema’s enduring spirit.
A draft bio profile of Dr. Arambam Lokendra, the recipient of the MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award of the 17 MSFA 2025, is provided herein.