Imphal: The 3rd North East India Film Festival (NEIFF) 2026 began at Tanthapolis Cinema in Lamphel, Imphal, on Saturday. Nine films from three northeastern states, four from Assam, four from Manipur, and one from Meghalaya, are being featured, and the festival is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
On the first day of the festival, films including The Check Post (produced and directed by Mahesh Konsam, Manipur), Ha Lyngkha Bneng (directed by Pradip Kurbah, Meghalaya), Romantic Affairs (directed by Monjul Baruah, Assam), and Laininghan Naoria Phullo (directed by Rakesh Moirangthem, Manipur) were screened.
Vice Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture, Paonam Gunindro, inaugurated the festival. It is being jointly organised by THOUNA, the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur, and the All Manipur Film Producers Association, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The festival showcases both feature and non-feature films, with a lineup including Collage, Kangbo Aloti, Ha Lyngkha Bneng, Noi Kotha, Romantic Affairs, Toy Gun, The Check Post, Phouoibee, and Laininghan Naoria Phullo.
Eight awards will be presented during the festival, each carrying a citation, statuette, and cash prize.
The categories include Best Feature Film, Best Non-Feature Film, Best Director (Feature Film), Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Screenplay (Feature Film), and the Hon'ble Jury Award. The jury may also confer a Special Mention on a film or an individual.