Imphal — Manipur is set to host the National Tribal Film Festival from November 8 to 11, as part of the nationwide celebration of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh’, officials announced on Thursday.
The event is being organised by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Manipur and the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, in collaboration with the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
According to TRI Director L. N. Kashung, the festival, titled “Tribal Frames Manipur,” will be a non-competitive platform designed to bring together tribal filmmakers, showcase their work, and foster dialogue, cultural exchange, and learning through cinema.
The festival is open to all filmmakers, animators, and storytellers working on tribal themes. Submissions are accepted in any tribal language, provided they include English subtitles. Eligible films must have been released after January 1, 2020, and can include shorts, feature films, documentaries, fiction, or animation.
Officials said Tribal Frames Manipur (TFM) 2025 aims to spotlight tribal voices and perspectives, offering a space to share stories rooted in the traditions, struggles, and aspirations of indigenous communities.
Describing the initiative as a major cultural milestone, organisers said the festival would attract filmmakers, scholars, and audiences from across India, further establishing Manipur as a hub for tribal arts and storytelling.
The Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebration marks the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda, observed from November 15, 2024, to November 15, 2025, to honour the heritage and contributions of India’s tribal communities.
With inputs from IANS