Imphal, October 9: Manipur will host the first-ever National Tribal Film Festival from November 8 to 11, celebrating tribal identity, culture, and storytelling through cinema. The four-day festival will be organised by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Manipur, and the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, in collaboration with the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), with support from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The event, titled “Tribal Frames Manipur (TFM) 2025”, is a non-competitive festival designed to bring together tribal filmmakers, animators, and storytellers from across India. It aims to provide a platform for visibility, dialogue, and cultural exchange among creative voices from diverse tribal communities.
TRI Director L. N. Kashung said the festival seeks to “promote tribal narratives and creativity while building bridges between traditional storytelling and contemporary cinema.” He added that films in any tribal language are eligible for participation, provided they include English subtitles, and that films released after January 1, 2020—including short films, documentaries, fiction, and animation—are welcome.
The festival, held as part of the ongoing ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh’ celebrations commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda, will also feature panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and scholars.
