9th Manipuri Film Awards
The 9th Manipuri Film Awards (commonly referred to as MANIFA 2020), presented by Thouna Manipur and the Film Forum Manipur, honored the best Manipuri cinema released during the eligibility period, in Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri) and the native tribal dialects spoken in the state. The official winners were announced in July 2020 across 28 distinct artistic, technical, and special categories. The film Eikhoisibu Kanano, directed by Ajit Yumnam, emerged as the most dominant winner of the night, securing the prestigious Best Feature Film award along with multiple technical titles. In the acting categories, A. Gokul Singh won Best Actor for his role in Inamma, while Bala Hijam (Inamma) and Biju Ningombam (Ei Actor Natte) shared the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Cinema from tribal languages was also highlighted, with the Tangkhul-dialect film Charawui Rai (War of Tears) making history by winning Best Feature Film in a Tribal Dialect.
Main categories
The primary artistic awards recognized exceptional achievements in directing, performance, and narrative storytelling in mainstream Manipuri cinema.
| Category | Winner(s) | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Brojen Yumnam (Producer) | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Director | Ajit Yumnam | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) | A. Gokul Singh | Inamma |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) (Joint Winners) | Bala Hijam | Inamma |
| Biju Ningombam | Ei Actor Natte | |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) | Wanglenthoiba | Inamma |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) | N. Rina Devi | Inamma |
Tribal Dialect Cinema categories
The tribal film categories celebrated the rich multilingual landscape of Manipur, highlighting breakthrough achievements in regional dialects.
| Category | Winner(s) | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film in a Tribal Dialect | Makanmi Ramror (Director & Producer) | Charawui Rai (Tangkhul Dialect) |
| Best Actress in a Tribal Dialect Film | Angel Shimrah | Charawui Rai |
Technical and Craft categories
Technical awards recognized the behind-the-scenes mastery behind production value, audio composition, scriptwriting, and visual aesthetics.
| Category | Winner(s) | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Screenplay | Ajit Yumnam | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Cinematography | Imo Yumnam | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Music Direction | Gopi - KOG | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Editing | Sushil Yumlembam | Eikhoisibu Kanano |
| Best Makeup | Dabo Wangkheimayum | Inamma |
| Best Costume | Amir Luwang | Ei Actor Natte |
Honorary and Special Awards
Special memorial accolades were presented to veteran actors, technicians, and patrons for their lifetime contributions to the preservation and development of the Manipuri film industry.
| Award Name | Recipient | Contribution Area |
|---|---|---|
| Maipak Sanahal Longjam Memorial Award | Ningombam Madhabi | Lifetime Achievement in Acting |
| Thokchom Ibohal Memorial Award | Moirangthem Nilamani | Lifetime Dedicated Service |
| Naorem Abhiram Memorial Award | B. Jugolchandra | Cine-Technician & Film Patronage |
See also
- MANIFA 2022
- MANIFA 2025
- National Film Award for Best Manipuri Feature Film
- Manipur State Kala Akademi
- Manipur State Literature Awards
- List of Meitei-language films of 2019
- List of Meitei-language films of 2021