Imphal, February 23: India celebrated a proud moment on the international stage as the Manipuri-language feature film Boong won the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, bringing global recognition to regional cinema from Northeast India. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Farhan Akhtar, Boong was the only Indian film nominated at this year's BAFTA Awards.
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| Lakshmipriya Devi delivers her acceptance speech as *Boong* wins Best Children’s & Family Film at the BAFTA Awards 2026 in London. |
The prestigious honour was presented during a glittering ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where producer Farhan Akhtar accepted the award on behalf of the team. The victory marks a significant milestone for Manipuri cinema and highlights the growing international appreciation for stories emerging from India's diverse cultural landscape.
Boong tells the moving story of a young boy searching for his missing father against the backdrop of Manipur's recent ethnic unrest. Although filmed before the outbreak of the conflict, the narrative resonates deeply with the realities faced by many families in the state. Featuring performances by Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam Ningthoujam, and Angom Sanamatum, the film also stands out for bringing together Meitei and Kuki actors, symbolising artistic collaboration across communities despite social divisions.
The film first premiered in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 before travelling to several prestigious international festivals, including the Warsaw International Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. At the BAFTA Awards, Boong emerged victorious over acclaimed international contenders, underscoring its universal appeal and emotional depth.
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In an emotional acceptance speech, director Lakshmipriya Devi began with the traditional Manipuri greeting "Khurumjari" and dedicated the award to the people of Manipur. She expressed hope for lasting peace in her homeland and prayed that children displaced by the ongoing conflict—including the young actors featured in the film—would once again experience happiness, security, and the freedom to dream.
Describing the achievement as reaching "the summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing," she called for compassion, forgiveness, and humanity to prevail. More than a cinematic triumph, Boong has emerged as a powerful symbol of resilience, demonstrating how storytelling can inspire empathy, healing, and hope even in the face of adversity.
