Imphal, April 5: Johnson Rajkumar, Manipur’s only film conservator, has been selected as the sole participant from India for the FIAF Film Restoration Summer School 2026, scheduled to be held in Bologna.
Organised by the International Federation of Film Archives, the programme is considered one of the most advanced global training platforms in film restoration. It brings together archivists, curators and conservators for intensive, hands-on learning in both photochemical and digital restoration techniques.
The programme is conducted in collaboration with L’Immagine Ritrovata, a globally recognised film restoration laboratory. Notably, the acclaimed Manipuri film Ishanou was restored at this facility and later screened in the Cannes Classics section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, bringing international attention to Manipuri cinema.
Rajkumar has been actively involved in film preservation efforts in Manipur and played a key role in establishing the SN Chand Cine Archive and Museum. Over the past five years, he has worked voluntarily to safeguard the state’s fragile film heritage, often in the absence of robust archival infrastructure.
His contributions include a significant role in the restoration of Ishanou, as well as supervising the digitisation of Brojendragee Luhhongba, regarded as the first Manipuri feature film by a local filmmaker. He has also led efforts to recover surviving reels of Mainu Pemcha, one of the earliest known filmmaking attempts in the region. In recognition of his work, he received the “Champion of Film Heritage Award” in 2022 from the Film Heritage Foundation.
Rajkumar has been awarded a scholarship of €1,400 to support his participation, though additional expenses related to travel, course fees and accommodation remain a challenge.
His selection is seen as a significant milestone for Manipur, placing the state on the global map of film preservation and expected to strengthen local archival practices through exposure to international expertise.
