Q: Can you start with a brief introduction of yourself?I’m Manna Phanjoubam, originally from Manipur. I completed my bachelor’s in History (Hons.) from Maitreyi College, batch of 2023. During my time there, I was also part of Vista, the photography society. Right now, I’m pursuing my Master’s in International Relations at King’s College London.
Q: What inspired you to start filmmaking?It actually began with my love for photography. I got my first camera at 16, and ever since, photography has been a passionate hobby. During my undergrad years, most of my classes were online because of COVID, so I spent a lot of time at home. I came to Delhi in my fourth semester and was away from my parents for an extended period. I missed them a lot and wanted a way to express those feelings creatively, so I decided to try filmmaking. Around that time, I found out about a short filmmaking competition at Hindu College, which felt like the perfect chance to give it a shot. I set up my tripod and camera, filmed something on my own, and, to my surprise, won third prize! I hadn’t expected that at all, and it really encouraged me to keep going. Since then, I haven’t looked back.
Q: How did you approach directing the music video “Liminal Space”?It all started with some casual creative experimentation on my Instagram—I hadn’t planned on doing this professionally. But a cinematographer who followed me reached out, asking if I’d be interested in directing the video. It was my first time working with a team in a professional setting, and the artist gave me full creative freedom, which was amazing.
When I first listened to the music, it instantly painted a picture in my mind, and I knew how I wanted the scenes to unfold. To communicate my vision with the team, I put together a presentation with similar images I found on Pinterest, along with some scene details. This helped the cinematographer see the whole picture I had in mind, and things just fell into place from there. I don’t follow a strict or systematic approach, but luckily, it all came together smoothly.
Q: Is there any difference in the creative process of making a music video and a film?I don’t think there’s much difference; they both center around storytelling. I love the idea of telling a story without needing to explain every detail verbally. That’s the beauty of filmmaking: you read between the lines, interpreting what’s left unsaid or unseen. While the music video reached a larger audience than my Instagram videos, the creative process felt the same for me. At its core, it’s always about storytelling.
Q: Where do you derive your inspiration from while writing scripts?I’d say it comes from being naturally observant. My short films often serve as commentaries on pressing social and political issues that I feel need to be addressed, so my inspiration really boils down to human experience. It can come from the news I watch, people I meet, or books I read. There’s no specific source; it’s just life and human experiences that spark ideas.
Q: What challenges did you face while writing the script for “The Great War”?Writing that script was definitely a challenge. I originally wrote it for a regional filmmaking competition and almost didn’t go through with it. I had planned for a friend to act in it after winter break in college, but the circumstances were such that she couldn't make it back to Delhi before the deadline. By then, I’d already paid the registration fees, so I felt stuck. I’m not confident in my acting skills, especially for such a serious script, so I kept putting it off. The night before the deadline, just as I was about to sleep, I decided to go for it. I pulled out my phone and wrote an essay about the unfair way society treats people who use drugs, highlighting the lack of proper rehabilitation for former users. The next morning, I turned that essay into lines. That’s actually my usual process: I often start with an essay and then convert it into a script.
Q: What themes do you explore in your films?I tend to focus on social and political issues that I’m passionate about. For example, my second film tackled freedom of speech and how it’s suppressed under totalitarian governments. This theme is personally significant to me, as my father is a journalist, so I’ve seen some of the challenges journalists face. Two books that have heavily influenced me are George Orwell’s 1984 and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, both of which address government control and the war against intellectual freedom, themes I incorporated into my film. I believe that if a script reflects something you genuinely feel strongly about, that authenticity will resonate with others. I think that sincerity is why my work has been acknowledged so far.
Q: How do you feel about being recognized as one of the emerging filmmakers of Manipur?It was such a surreal and amazing moment—it felt incredibly validating, especially since the filmmaking scene here is so male-dominated; even among the emerging filmmakers who were felicitated, I was the only woman. At the ceremony, there was only one other female filmmaker present, and when she saw me, her whole face lit up. She’s a well-established veteran filmmaker herself, and she came over to tell me how glad she was to see another woman there. In that moment, I thought, maybe a young girl out there who’s hesitant to pursue filmmaking might see me up there, being honored alongside men, and imagine herself there one day. I’m grateful to be some sort of representation for others.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker?I wouldn’t say I’m the best person to speak on the full range of challenges filmmakers face, as filmmaking is more of a passionate hobby for me rather than a full-time career. This perspective I'm about to share seems universal, but I'll share it through the lens of my hometown, Manipur. Here, filmmaking and other forms of art are often viewed as just entertainment, not as something worth dedicating your life to, so artistry isn’t widely respected as a viable career.
In terms of filmmaking, I’ve noticed that mainstream media often tends to produce very similar, redundant content rather than exploring new creative directions. I think it’s a vicious cycle, though; industries keep producing this type of content because it’s what audiences tend to engage with. If the demand shifted, we’d probably see more diverse scripts and styles. So, there’s a lot of pressure on filmmakers to conform to what the masses want, which limits artistic expression. I think we need to broaden our interests and stay open-minded to support a more diverse and creative media landscape.
Q: What do you believe sets your filmmaking style apart?I think one thing that sets my style apart is that I film everything on my own. It may not look as polished as projects with a full team behind them, but I think it brings a unique, personal touch to the visuals.
Q: How do you bring your vision to life?My creative process is more about daydreaming than anything else. When an idea comes to me, I jot it down in my notes right away, so I don’t lose the crucial parts. I leave myself instructions, and then, when I’m editing, I refer back to them. It all just falls into place from there. I also try to keep costs minimal since I don’t work with a budget.
Q: How has winning awards influenced your filmmaking journey?My parents taught me, “Life is a series of battles, and just because you win or lose one doesn’t mean it’s the end.” So, I try not to become arrogant over a win or devastated over a loss. I’m deeply appreciative of the recognition and the awards, and I certainly don’t take them for granted. But whether I’m winning or losing, I stay focused on doing what I believe in, constantly evaluating myself by my own standards. It’s about keeping the long-term vision and aiming to win the bigger “war,” so to speak.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?I know this path isn’t easy, and I say that with full acknowledgment of my own privilege. I’m fortunate to be pursuing this as a side career with a strong support system behind me, which many Indian parents might not provide for filmmaking as a career choice. So, I don’t want to just say, “Keep going, make films, and put yourself out there,” because I know it’s not that simple.
If you’re an artist who doesn’t have that kind of support, I want you to know that I understand how much filmmaking means to you. I’d feel lost if I couldn’t create, so I can imagine the challenges you face. My hope for you is that you find a community that supports and lifts you up. Once you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll need that diversity, creativity, and experience around you. Hold on to your dreams, even when it’s hard. And I hope I’ll be among the peers you meet on this journey. Don’t give up.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1.Was awarded as one of the 8 emerging filmmakers of Manipur
2. Directed a music video called “Liminal Space” for Ring Dangsha
3. Best Short Film at Northeast Fest of Hansraj College for 'Once upon a Dream'
4. Best Script Award for short film 'The Great War': North East Short Film Festival
5.Her Short Film 'Precipice of the Fall' won Best Sound Design at University College of Medical Sciences
Comments