In a historic moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri language film Boong has secured the BAFTA award for Best Children’s and Family Film.
The ceremony, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, saw director Lakshmipriya Devi and producers Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Alan McAlex take the stage to accept the prestigious trophy.
The award was presented by the character Paddington Bear from the West End show Paddington The Musical.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, the emotional drama follows a schoolboy named Boong who navigates the complexities of racial tensions and border challenges in Manipur. Driven by resilience, the protagonist attempts to reunite his divided family.
The film features a cast including Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam Ningthoujam, and Angom Sanamatum.
Boong won the category against stiff international competition from major titles such as Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and the French science fiction film Arco.
During her acceptance speech, Devi made a poignant plea for peace in her home state. She expressed hope for the return of tranquility to Manipur and prayed for the well-being of internally displaced children, noting that some of the film’s own child actors have been affected by the ongoing conflict. She emphasized that forgiveness is a human superpower and thanked BAFTA for providing a global platform to share this message of hope.
The victory follows a successful festival run that began with a world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The film also screened at the Warsaw International Film Festival, the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and the 2025 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Produced by a team including Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, and Ritesh Sidhwani, Boong marks a significant milestone as a regional Indian film gaining top-tier international recognition.