Imphal |  Long before feature films defined Manipur’s cinematic identity, a small 8mm camera was already quietly chronicling the state’s socio-cultural life.

Fifteen fragile 8mm celluloid reels—believed to have been captured by Maharaj Kumar Priyabrata Singh, one of the state’s earliest independent visual chroniclers, and Kongbrailatpam Ibohal Sharma—are set to undergo international inspection, cataloguing, and archival preservation. The initiative marks a major milestone in safeguarding the early audiovisual heritage of Northeast India.

The project is an international collaboration between the SN Chand Cine Archive & Museum (SNCCAM)—operated by the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS)—and Italy’s Home Movies Foundation – National Family Film Archive in Bologna.

Moving Beyond Digitisation: Archival Preservation

Unlike basic digital scans intended purely for viewing, this initiative will apply internationally recognized preservation standards. According to Paolo Simoni, Director of the Home Movies Foundation, the process encompasses:

• Condition Assessment: A comprehensive physical and chemical diagnostic evaluation of the film stock.
• Specialized Conservation: Interventions to address chemical decay, shrinkage, and brittleness before scanning.
• Archival Cataloguing: Metadata documentation conforming to FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) benchmarks.
• Preservation Masters: Creation of high-resolution digital master files while stabilizing the original celluloid elements.

“Film stock is unforgiving. Unlike memory, it does not remain intact merely because it is precious. It shrinks, fades, and chemically deteriorates. Once lost, what it contains disappears forever.”

Global Training Yields Local Results

The collaboration stems directly from growing international ties forged by MSFDS. Dr. Johnson Rajkumar, principal of MSFDS and a voluntary film conservationist, represented India as the sole candidate selected for the prestigious FIAF Film Restoration Summer School 2026 and the 40th Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna.

His intensive training under experts from the British Film Institute, Library of Congress, and George Eastman Museum laid the groundwork for this international partnership.

Five Years of Archival Breakthroughs in Manipur

Established in April 2021 during the Golden Jubilee of Manipuri Cinema, SNCCAM has systematically built a conservation ecosystem in Imphal with support from the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Mumbai.

Key achievements of Manipur’s film restoration drive include:

• Brojendragee Luhongba: The first feature directed by a Manipuri filmmaker was rescued from severe physical degradation and premiered in a restored 4K format in May 2022.
• Ishanou (1990): Directed by Aribam Syam Sharma and written by M.K. Binodini Devi, the restored film was officially selected for the prestigious Cannes Classics section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
• Imagi Ningthem: Currently undergoing digitisation and restoration via ongoing MSFDS–FHF collaboration.
• National Film Heritage Mission: In partnership with the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune, eight feature films (including Sambal Wangma and Mayophygee Macha) and four key documentaries have been successfully digitized.

Why Home Movies Matter

While celebrated narrative features form the core of film heritage, archival experts emphasize that amateur reels, family recordings, and non-commercial documentaries provide indispensable historical evidence.

The 8mm reels of Priyabrata Singh captured ordinary life, traditional rituals, changing landscapes, and historical figures long before a formal film industry existed in Manipur. Preserving these 8mm reels ensures that a rare, firsthand visual account of 20th-century Manipur remains accessible for generations to come.