Imphal: Last Cherry Blossom, a 29-minute experimental fiction film by Meghalaya filmmaker Ekratia Khongtiang, was screened at the Tribal Frame 2026 National Tribal Film Festival in Imphal, shedding light on inherited social stigma and personal identity.
Set within the Jaintia community, the film follows Dio, a sensitive boy who retreats into painting and poetry to cope with the distress of being a Khon Sang, a child born to parents of the same or closely related clan.
The narrative highlights how this unchosen social label shapes his childhood and isolates him from society.
Dio’s perspective shifts when he befriends Iris, and the two begin exchanging thoughts and poems through a shared notebook. Through their quiet companionship, Dio learns to look beyond the prejudices attached to his birth, finding emotional support, acceptance and a path towards healing.
Using poetry and visual expression, the film examines the psychological toll of rigid social boundaries on young people, urging audiences to distinguish cultural traditions from harmful social judgments.
Its screening at the festival showed how contemporary indigenous cinema addresses the emotional realities of younger generations alongside cultural heritage.
Director Ekratia Khongtiang, who hails from Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills, holds a degree in Mass Media from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong.
Raised in a filmmaking family, she transitioned from acting to directing to craft intimate, character-driven stories, with Last Cherry Blossom marking an early milestone in her directorial career.