Imphal: The Manipuri film Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, has won the Best Children’s and Family Film award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 2026 Awards.

As the only Indian nominee in this category, Boong achieved this historic win on February 22, 2026, marking a major milestone for Northeast Indian cinema. Praised as a “small film with a big soul,” it took home the top prize in the Best Children’s & Family Film category, competing against international titles such as Zootropolis 2 and Lilo & Stitch.

The film is a coming-of-age story about a young Manipuri boy searching for his missing father. Starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, it tells the tale of a mischievous boy, played by first-time actor Gugun Kipgen, who tries everything possible to find his father.

Every year, he hopes his father will return for Holi and reunite with his mother. Steeped in rich Manipuri culture, Boong was filmed before the state was affected by the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.

Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi made her directorial debut with Boong. She expressed her profound happiness at winning the award and thanked the jury. “This win highlights a significant moment for Indian regional cinema on the global stage, showcasing the powerful storytelling from Manipur,” she said. She added that it was a proud moment for Manipuri films in the international film festival arena.

Earlier, Devi worked as an assistant director on several Bollywood projects, including Excel Entertainment films such as Lakshya, Luck by Chance, Talaash, and the limited series Dahaad. She also served as an AD to Rajkumar Hirani (PK) and Mira Nair (A Suitable Boy).

Boong had its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival in the Discovery section and was officially selected for several prominent festivals, including the Warsaw International Film Festival 2024, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, the 55th International Film Festival of India, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.