Guwahati, Nov 8: Cinema from Northeast India is set to make a strong impression at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, with a powerful lineup of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim selected for the Indian Panorama section.
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025. The curtain-raiser event for IFFI was held in New Delhi on November 6. It highlights an extensive and diverse programme: more than 240 films from 81 countries, 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. The festival has received a record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries, underscoring IFFI’s growing prominence on the global festival circuit.
Indian Panorama is a flagship component of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), under which the best of contemporary Indian films are selected for the promotion of film art. It was introduced in 1978 as part of the stupendous IFFI umbrella to promote Indian Films along with India’s rich culture and heritage with the help of cinematic art. Since its inception, the Indian Panorama has been completely devoted to showcasing the best Indian films of the year.
In the Feature Film category, two films — Bhaimon Da (Assamese) and Oitharei (Manipuri) — have secured their place among India’s finest cinematic works of the year. Joining them is Sikaar (Assamese), which has been featured in the Mainstream Cinema section, underscoring the growing prominence of Assamese storytelling on the national stage.
Directed by Sasanka Samir and produced by Zeal Creations, Bhaimon Da tells the biographical story of Assamese filmmaker Munin Barua, exploring his life from his youth to his final days, as well as the challenges faced by Assamese cinema during his time.
Manipur, long celebrated for its deeply personal and socially conscious cinema, makes its presence felt with Naorem Dinesh Singh’s Oitharei — a Manipuri feature that continues the state’s tradition of poignant storytelling. The film, produced under Oitharei, brings to light the cultural depth and emotional subtlety that have defined Manipuri filmmaking since the days of Aribam Syam Sharma.
Oitharei portrays an inner war — the anguish of a widow displaced by the ethnic unrest in Manipur since 2023. Told through an unflinching lens, it captures the psychological toll of conflict while echoing a collective cry for peace and humanity.
Adding to Assam’s representation, Debangkar Borgohain’s Sikaar, produced by Mitra Bhattacharya, has been featured in the Mainstream Cinema section. Starring Zubeen Garg, Urmila Mahanta, and Adil Hussain, the film has been lauded for its gripping storyline and grand cinematic execution. Sikaar stands as the highest-budget Assamese film ever made, elevating the regional industry to an international platform.
In the Non-Feature Film category, the region continues to shine with Namrata Datta’s Patralekha from Assam and Borun Thokchom’s Battlefield from Manipur. Patralekha explores themes of identity and communication through a poetic Assamese lens, while Battlefield offers a gripping look into Manipur’s conflicted realities with Thokchom’s signature documentary intensity.
Sikkim also finds representation this year with Samten Bhutia’s Shangrila, produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC). The Sikkimese-language documentary expands the cinematic map of the Northeast by offering a rare window into the state’s evolving creative and cultural landscape.
On Nov 27 there will be a discussion on New North East Cinema and Film Schools. The topic will analyse the emerging new wave of filmmakers from Indian film schools, particularly those from the Northeast region. It examines how these institutions serve as a crucible for unique voices, bringing fresh perspectives and narratives to Indian cinema. The discussion focuses on the impact and rise to prominence of these directors on the Indian cinematic landscape.
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