The 3rd North East India Film Festival 2026 (NEIFF) commenced at TanthaPolis Cinema on Saturday, bringing together a curated selection of films from across the Northeast and highlighting the region’s evolving cinematic voice.
Inaugurating the festival, Professor Paonam Gunindro, Vice Chancellor of the Manipur University of Culture, described cinema as both a cultural archive and a dynamic medium reflecting changing social realities. “Cinema is a powerful tool of education and social representation,” he said, adding that platforms like NEIFF help take the Northeast’s diverse identities to a wider audience while preserving its narratives.
He also acknowledged the continued support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), expressing hope that the festival will expand further in scale and reach.
Additional Director of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Tongbram Ramesh Singh, said the initiative aims to nurture filmmakers and strengthen the regional film ecosystem. He highlighted the growing global recognition of Northeast cinema, citing the Manipuri film Boong winning a BAFTA Award as a milestone achievement.
Chairman of the organising committee, Y Nilachandra Singh, along with filmmakers, producers, and artistes from across the region, attended the inaugural event.
A total of nine films are being screened during the two-day festival, including Collage, Kangbo Aloti, Ha Lyngkha Bneng, Noi Kotha, Romantic Affairs, Toy Gun, The Check Post, Phouoibee, and Laininghal Naoria Phullo, showcasing the diversity of storytelling in the Northeast.
Jointly organised by THOUNA, DIPR, and the All Manipur Film Producers Association, the festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and NFDC. All screenings are open to the public free of cost.
