Imphal, June 2: Acclaimed Manipuri film Boong emerged as one of the standout winners at the 2026 New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), securing three major awards, including the prestigious Best Child Actor honour for its young lead performer.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, the film earned the Best Child Actor award for Gugun Kipgen. Lakshmipriya Devi was also recognised with the Best Director award, while Boong received the Best Debut Film award from the festival’s critics’ circle, marking a significant achievement for the Manipuri production.
The 2026 edition of the New York Indian Film Festival concluded on Sunday after a four-day celebration of Indian independent cinema. Organised by the Indo-American Arts Council, the festival featured 19 feature films, four feature documentaries and 27 short films from across India.
Festival organisers highlighted the increasing international recognition of regional Indian cinema, noting that this year’s selections represented 15 languages. They said the programme reflected the growing influence of regional storytelling and independent filmmaking in global cinema spaces.
Among the other major winners, Nikhil Vaid received the Best Actor award for his performance in Vinnukut. The Best Actress honour was shared by Meenakshi Jayan and Victoria Thek for their performances in Mahajan, along with Prajakta Deshmukh for her role in Tighee.
In the documentary category, Deja Vu was honoured with the Best Documentary Feature award, while Jo’s Turn won the Best Narrative Short award.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Nirmal Mattoo said the festival showcased the depth and diversity of Indian cinema while highlighting evolving narratives that reflect contemporary India. He observed that many of the featured films explored themes relevant to younger generations while remaining firmly rooted in local cultures and lived experiences.
The festival concluded with a special screening of Boong on May 29, bringing to a close a successful edition that further strengthened NYIFF’s reputation as a leading international platform for Indian independent and regional cinema.
