Festival Director L Somi Roy said, "The digital film festival which is the first international documentary festival held in Manipur and NE India will pay special attention to films on sports and performing arts, in which Manipur has achieved distinction" .
While speaking to reporters in a press conference held in this regard at his residence today, Somi said, apart from State filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar's Mr India, 21 non-fiction films of different lenghts which had earlier participated in festivals like Film South Asia, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival, Dance on Camera Festival and New York African Film Festival will be screened during the five-day event.
The Festival Director said that a series of panel discussions on documentary film making would also be held as a part of the festival.
Somi added that a three-part workshop on making dance documentaries will be conducted under the supervision of Nan Melville, dance photographer and filmmaker from New York on June 9, 10 and 11 .
Her documentary film, Nrityagram: For the Love of Dance will also screened during the festival.
Nan Melville, who has worked with various dance companies like Alvin Aiby Dance Theatre, American Ballet Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, Royal Ballet London and Bolshoi Ballet said, "Sharing ideas and experimentation at different levels is the main aim of organising the festival" .
Saying that the festival has a different approach from other film festivals, Festival Director Somi Roy said that the main idea is to establish ties among regional films.
He added that a tribute to acclaimed State filmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma will also be given as a part of the festival.
The event, being organised by Huntre, International Projects and sponsored by Manipur Film Development Corporation and Department of Arts and Culture, will be opened by Governor of Manipur.