Imphal: A 20-minute fiction film drawing on the oral traditions of Nagaland’s Sumi Naga community was screened at the Tribal Frames 2026 national tribal film festival in Imphal, bringing indigenous folklore and traditional ecological knowledge to the forefront.
Directed by independent filmmaker Vito Sumi, Kashopapu explores ancestral wisdom, environmental harmony and community justice through a story rooted in regional folklore.
The film follows Kasho, a young man who follows his father’s advice to wait for the call of a sacred bird before sowing his crops. While other villagers begin cultivation prematurely, Kasho remains guided by traditional ecological knowledge. His patience eventually rewards him with an abundant harvest, bringing prosperity to the village.
However, the story takes another turn years later when greedy neighbours attempt to take over his land. The sacred bird intervenes once again, helping restore Kasho’s rightful ownership.
Through this tale, Kashopapu explores greed, fairness and environmental responsibility. It also highlights indigenous folklore as an important repository of cultural memory and ethical values passed down through generations.
The screening introduced audiences in Imphal to the storytelling traditions of the Sumi Naga community. Festival organisers and attendees noted the role of tribal cinema in bringing indigenous narratives and regional cultural heritage to a wider national audience.
Vito Sumi holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and is the co-founder of R&N Studios. His work spans directing, writing, editing and producing, with a focus on documenting everyday Naga life through cinematic realism.
His earlier documentary, Sound From The Hollow Bamboo (2022), was funded by the Films Division. The film won the Best Director award at the North East Film Festival in Mumbai and received a Special Jury Mention at the Samvaad Tribal Conclave.