In one of the most surprising and inspiring moments of the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), the Indian Manipuri-language film, Boong, has won the Best Children’s and Family Film category, beating major international releases such as Lilo & Stitch, Arco, and Zootopia 2.
Boong is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Bollywood’s actor-cum-director Farhan Akhtar, among others. A tender coming-of-age drama, the film is rooted in Manipur, a region of Northeast India that has rarely been recognised by world cinema’s biggest stages.
The title of the film, Boong, means “little boy” in Manipuri.
The story follows the young protagonist who is determined to surprise his mother with the best gift: finding his father who had disappeared mysteriously from home and bringing him back.
With his friend Raju, he goes on a quest that carries him across landscapes and state borders.
Boong first drew critical attention when it premiered in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, a prestigious platform for world cinema.
It also screened at other major festivals – including Warsaw, MAMI Mumbai and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne – earning praise for its heartfelt storytelling and authentic performances long before its theatrical release in India in September 2025.
At the BAFTA ceremony, director Lakshmipriya Devi used her acceptance speech to highlight her homeland’s challenges and hopes. Her heartfelt message called for empathy and peace, extending the film’s influence beyond the screen and into real-world conversations about conflict and resilience.
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6 Mar 2025 18:11
