Manipur's filmmaker to join Jury of Egyptian Film festival

Imphal, Aug 18 (UNI) Renowned filmmaker from Manipur Haobam Paban Kumar, has been invited to join the International Jury of the 11th Ismailia International Film Festival in Egypt from September 3 - 9.

Manipur Information Centre officials said this and added that he would be the first filmmaker from the state to get such an international position.

Paban Kumar is known for his film AFSPA,1958, which documents the movement in Manipur, demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA)(2004).

In the last edition of the International Festival held between September 15 and 22, Paban Kumar bagged three awards - Jury Award in the long documentary category ACT(Appropriate Communication Techniques and Developments), Jury Award for the best film and Egyptian Film Critics Association Award of 'First: A Mention to Film' for outstanding film for his documentary-AFSPA, 1958.

Officials said the film which candidly captures a series of realities subsequent upon the killing of Manorama by Assam Rifles had already been bagged two international awards in the 9th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in February 2006.

The Ismailia International Film Festival for documentary and short films takes place every year in Ismailia, Egypt to promote an intercultural dialogue for a deeper understanding of others by presenting their creative works to the audience and to encourage filmmakers of documentary and short films.

The Ministry of Culture, Egyptian Film Centre and Ismailia Governorate will be jointly organising the Festival.

UNI