‘Joseph’s Son’, ‘Mareibak Ningba Herachandra’ Dominate 16th Manipur State Film Awards 2024

Imphal, May 28: Feature film ‘Joseph’s Son’ and ‘Mareibak Ningba Herachandra’, along with non-feature film ‘Andro Dreams’, emerged as the biggest winners at the 16th Manipur State Film Awards 2024 held at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) Auditorium at Palace Compound in Imphal on Wednesday.

The awards ceremony, organised by the Manipur State Film Development Society, honoured filmmakers, actors, writers, musicians and technicians for their contribution to Manipuri cinema. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla attended the programme as chief guest, while Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh presided over the function.

Among the top winners, ‘Joseph’s Son’ secured several major honours in the feature film category. Feature Editor of Poknapham newspaper Sudhir Naoroibam won the Best Screenplay (Adapted) award for the film and also shared the Best Screenplay Writer award with director Haobam Pabankumar.

Haobam Pabankumar further received the Best Director award for ‘Joseph’s Son’, making the film one of the strongest performers of the evening. The film also won awards in technical categories, with Joydeep Bose receiving Best Cinematographer and Sabyasachi Pal winning Best Audiographer Location Sound Recordist.

Padma Shri Guru Rewben Mashangva was honoured with the Best Lyricist award for his work in ‘Joseph’s Son’. Editor Sankhajit Biswas also shared the Best Editor award for the same film.

The feature film category was led overall by ‘Mareibak Ningba Herachandra’, which won the Best Film award and collected several acting and technical honours. Naorem Pilot won the Best Actor Male award for his performance in the film, while Yengkhom Ingocha received the Best Supporting Actor Male award.

Huidrom Anil secured the award for Best Music Director and Background Score for the film. The makeup team of Abujam Ragini and Wangjam Chandrima Chanu won Best Makeup Artist, while Loitongbam Sunil and Bony Ningthouja received the Best Sound Designer award.

Yoimayai Mongsaba shared the Best Editor honour for ‘Mareibak Ningba Herachandra’, adding to the film’s strong showing across technical categories.

Another major winner of the evening was ‘Thambal’, which secured awards in several performance categories. Pinky Saikhom received the Best Actor Female award for her role in the film, while Rina Ningthoujam won Best Supporting Actor Female.

Lamnganbi Laishram was named Best Child Artist for ‘Thambal’, and Sh Inaocha Sharma received the Best Art Designer award. Nganthoibi Ningthoujam won Best Female Playback Singer for the film.

In the playback singing category, Arbin Soibam received the Best Male Playback Singer award for ‘Tamphamani’.

The non-feature film section was dominated by ‘Andro Dreams’, which won the Best Film award and earned recognition in multiple categories. Meena Longjam received the Best Director award for the film, while Sunny Sarungbam won Best Cinematographer and Sankhajit Biswas secured the Best Editor award.

Khaba Maimom won Best Film of a Debut Director for ‘Kwatha Pham Kaaba’, while Amarjeet Maibam received a Special Jury Mention for ‘The Untiring Women’.

The MSFDS Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 was presented to Ngangbam Swarnajit in recognition of his contribution to Manipuri cinema and culture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Bhalla said the strength of Manipuri cinema lies in its roots and that these roots would help it reach wider audiences across India and the world. He described cinema as a powerful medium of storytelling and cultural expression that reflects the aspirations, struggles and lived experiences of society.

The Governor praised filmmakers, actors, writers, editors, cinematographers, musicians and technicians for their dedication to the growth of Manipuri cinema. He also acknowledged the contribution of film critics, researchers and authors in documenting and analysing the journey of cinema in the state.

According to him, films from Manipur continue to preserve indigenous traditions, languages and values while also addressing social realities and human experiences. He said the state film awards not only recognise artistic excellence but also encourage younger filmmakers and strengthen the film culture of Manipur.

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said cinema has the power to inspire people and shared how Bruce Lee’s film ‘Enter the Dragon’ motivated him during his younger days to travel to Lucknow to learn Taekwondo.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged that the Manipuri film industry continues to function under various limitations, including shortages of equipment and infrastructure. However, he assured support for the growth and advancement of the industry.

Art and Culture Minister Kh Loken also attended the programme and released the official award catalogue during the event.

The awards ceremony concluded with congratulations to all winners and renewed appreciation for Manipuri cinema’s continued contribution to regional storytelling and cultural preservation.

16th Manipur State Film Awards 2024 – Winners List

Feature Film Category

Non-Feature Film Category

Special Award