Imphal: Veteran Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma has been honoured with the Golden Beaver Award at the India Film Festival of Alberta (IFFA) 2025, held at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. The award, shared with renowned actor-director Kamal Haasan, recognizes their enduring contributions to Indian cinema.

Instituted this year, the Golden Beaver Award celebrates filmmakers whose work has shaped Indian cinema and amplified underrepresented voices. The 2025 edition of IFFA placed a special spotlight on the Northeast, celebrating its vibrant artistic and cultural heritage.

In his message to Sharma, IFFA Executive Director Madhan Selvaraj praised the filmmaker’s pioneering role in bringing the stories and cultural identity of Northeast India to a wider audience. “Your films have not only expanded the language of Indian cinema but have also given voice to a region and its people, inspiring generations of filmmakers,” Selvaraj said.

Accepting the award in absentia, Aribam Syam Sharma expressed his gratitude and extended best wishes to the festival, noting that ill health prevented him from attending. The award was received on his behalf by film historian and filmmaker Parthajit Baruah, and presented by Masakui Rungsung, Consul General of India in Vancouver.

A revered figure in Indian cinema, Sharma is best known for his acclaimed works Imagi Ningthem and Ishanou, which brought Manipuri cinema international acclaim. His films have long been celebrated for their sensitive portrayal of the Northeast’s people, culture, and spirit.

Founded in 2015, the India Film Festival of Alberta has emerged as a major platform for independent filmmakers from India, Canada, and beyond. This year’s theme, “Spotlight on Northeast India,” paid tribute to the region’s icons, artists, and storytellers who have enriched the fabric of Indian cinema.