Guwahati: Manipur filmmaker and executive board member of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Sonia Nepram, is making waves at the “74th Berlin International Film Festival.”
The annual festival that kicked off on Thursday (February 15) will run until February 25 in Germany’s capital Berlin. Founded in 1951, the event ranks among the world’s leading film festivals, showcasing a wide spectrum of international and national films.
Nepram’s participation is on an official invitation extended by the foreign office of the Federal Republic of Germany through its visitors programme. Beyond the prospect of mingling with global cinema luminaries like Martin Scorsese, who will be honoured with the “Honorary Golden Bear” for his lifetime achievement, Nepram is set to gain first-hand insights into Germany and its vibrant culture.
Nepram entered the world of documentary filmmaking with “Gun and a God” in 2013, exploring the impact of armed conflict on women’s lives. Her second directorial venture, “Bloody Phanek” (2017), which received funding from the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), South Korea, made its world premiere at the “DMZ International Documentary Film Festival,” earning praise for its exploration of the cultural, personal and political aspects of the “Phanek,” the traditional attire of Manipuri women.
Nepram’s Berlin International Film Festival itinerary features visits to prominent institutions like Deutsche Kinemathek-Museum für Film und Fernsehen German Film Archive, Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, and discussions on film financing and location promotion.
Her participation in the festival holds special significance as MSFDS gears up for the second edition of Manipur’s International Film Festival, the “Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival (EIIFF)” in late 2024.
The first edition of EIIFF, inaugurated during the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipur Cinema in 2022, showcased films from various countries like Iran, Germany, the Philippines, Norway, Ukraine and South Korea. The upcoming edition aims for grandeur and competitiveness.
The Berlin International Film Festival, with its politically charged history, serves as a platform for intercultural exchange and critical exploration of societal issues.
Sonia Nepram’s role as a MSFDS executive board member and her Berlin International Film Festival participation align to elevate Manipur’s film culture on the global stage.