Meitei cinema

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{{About|the Manipuri-language film industry|the entire film industry of Manipur|Cinema of Manipur}}

{{See|Meitei language in Bangladesh#Meitei cinema}}

{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}

{{Infobox cinema market

| name = Meitei cinema
Maniwood

| image = Meitei Cinema - Maniwood Clapperboard.jpg

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| caption = An illustration of the Maniwood clapperboard

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• Film Forum Manipur (FFM)
• Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)

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| produced_total = 60-70{{Cite web |date=2014-09-09 |title='Mary Kom' earns Rs 28.32 cr at box office in first weekend |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/mary-kom-movie-box-office-collection-review-mumbai-manipur-136043-2014-09-09 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Business Today |language=en |quote=... Meanwhile, producers are trying to release the film in Kom's hometown, where around 60 to 70 films in Meitei language are made in a year. ...}}{{Cite web |last=Bag |first=Shamik |date=2015-10-10 |title=Being a movie buff in Imphal |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7OfxOV3BcgFAa8ERcsf2tI/Being-a-movie-buff-in-Imphal.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=mint |language=en}}

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Meitei cinema ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|Meitei Mami Kumhei}}|}}), also known as Maniwood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), widely spoken in the state of Manipur. The popular term Maniwood, is a portmanteau of "Manipuri" (official name of Meitei) and "Hollywood". Since its inception, Meitei cinema has played a significant role in the Meitei linguistic purism movement, often emphasizing proper Meitei language in place of pidgin dialects.{{Cite web |last=Bag |first=Shamik |date=2015-10-10 |title=Being a movie buff in Imphal |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7OfxOV3BcgFAa8ERcsf2tI/Being-a-movie-buff-in-Imphal.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=mint |language=en}}

The origins of Meitei cinema date back to {{langnf|mni|Matamgi Manipur|Today's Manipur}}, released in 1972 as the first full-length Meitei-language film and the first film made in Manipur.{{Cite web |title=Matamgi Manipur on Moviebuff.com |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/matamgi-manipur |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Moviebuff.com}}{{Cite web |title=Manipuri cinema in the last three decades |url=http://e-pao.net/epPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Manipuri_cinema_in_the_last_three_decades.html.. |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=e-pao.net}} The film won the President's Medal at the 20th National Film Awards, establishing a milestone in Manipuri cinema.{{Cite web |title=Now Showing MATAMGI MANIPUR |url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.movies.Now_Showing_-_MATAMGI_MANIPUR |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=www.e-pao.net}} Another landmark came with {{langnf|mni|Imagi Ningthem|My Son, My Precious}} in 1981, which brought international recognition by winning the Golden Montgolfiere at the 1982 Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, elevating Indian cinema on the global stage.{{Cite web |title=Digitised Imagi Ningthem screened at Pune film fest : 15th jan14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..150114.jan14 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=e-pao.net}}{{Cite news |date=2022-04-06 |title=New book traces journey of Manipuri cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-book-traces-journey-of-manipuri-cinema/article65295376.ece |access-date=2023-07-31 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

In 1990, {{langnf|mni|Ishanou|The Chosen One}} gained further acclaim, being screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web |title=Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/131/year/1991.html |access-date=10 August 2009 |work=festival-cannes.com}} This film was re-recognized in 2023 by Cannes as a "World Classic," marking its significance as the only Indian film selected for the event that year.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-06 |title=Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/manipuri-feature-film-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic/articleshow/100038686.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-31 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |title=Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/movies/aribam-syam-sharmas-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Imphal Free Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/manipuri-film-ishanou-becomes-india-s-only-restored-film-to-be-screened-at-cannes-2023-news-284573 |website=Outlook India}} Additionally, {{langnf|mni|Keibu Keioiba|Tiger-Head}} became the first animation film in the Meitei language and in Manipuri cinema in 2009.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Naorem Nishikanta |date=2013-11-07 |title=Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II {{!}} Manipur Times |url=https://manipurtimes.com/bhumenjoy-konsam-on-the-chemistry-of-making-keibu-kei-oiba-part-ii/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Manipur fable from Shrek stable - Pune-based visual designer makes region's first animation film |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/manipur-fable-from-shrek-stable-pune-based-visual-designer-makes-region-s-first-animation-film/cid/713160 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Naorem Nishikanta |date=2013-10-22 |title=Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part I {{!}} Manipur Times |url=https://manipurtimes.com/bhumenjoy-konsam-on-the-chemistry-of-making-keibu-kei-oiba-part-i/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en-US}}

Reflecting local culture, since 2012, Maniwood has observed a dress code guideline: “If you wear jeans thrice on screen, you have to wear Manipuri dresses four times.” This practice reflects the Maniwood culture’s dedication to representing the Manipuri lifestyle and traditional attire. According to acclaimed director Aribam Syam Sharma, Meitei cinema authentically portrays the way of life and thinking of the Manipuri people.{{Cite web |last=Bag |first=Shamik |date=2015-10-10 |title=Being a movie buff in Imphal |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7OfxOV3BcgFAa8ERcsf2tI/Being-a-movie-buff-in-Imphal.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=mint |language=en}}

Today, Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum are among the top-rated Manipuri films on IMDb as of 2023, showcasing the enduring appeal of Meitei cinema among audiences.{{Cite news |date=22 August 2023 |title=Ishanou, Oneness, and Eikhoigi Yum become IMDb's top 3 Manipuri movies |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/2023/08/22/ishanou-oneness-and-eikhoigi-yum-become-imdbs-top-3-manipuri-movies/ |access-date=23 August 2023 |work=East Mojo}}