Itanagar, Sep 13: Manisha Halai, a first-generation learner and documentary filmmaker from Arunachal Pradesh’s Wakro circle, has brought laurels to the state by winning the prestigious Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) Award as well as the Audience Award at Bali, Indonesia, for her debut feature documentary “Orange Beetle: Mother & I”.
The deeply personal film, made in the Kaman Mishmi language, explores the story of her mother. Out of 292 entries from filmmakers across Asia, Manisha’s work stood out, winning two coveted awards. The film is currently in early development and is being produced by Academy-nominated filmmakers Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh. It was incubated at the Himalayan Story Lab, India’s first lab for filmmakers from the Himalayan region.
Manisha, who works as a Training Assistant with the reputed docu-film training organisation “Green Hub”at Tezpur, Assam, travelled abroad for the first time to participate in the “Docs By The Sea (DBTS) Storytelling Lab and Pitching Forum” held in Bali from September 4–10. This marks Manisha's first time pitching her film at an international platform. She is also the first Green Hub fellow to pitch a film on a global stage.
Speaking from Bali, an elated Manisha told Lohit Youth Library volunteers: “Coming from one of the most remote villages, being able to pitch at such a prestigious forum was a proud and unforgettable moment for me. I was extremely nervous but thrilled to share my story, and the response was overwhelming.”
Her journey into storytelling began as one of the first batch of students at KGBV Wakro, with early exposure to books and learning at APNE Library Wakro and Bamboosa Library, Tezu. She credits her participation in two international AWIC Library conferences in Delhi for honing her storytelling skills. She also fondly recalled her first encounter with film equipment when eminent filmmaker PN Ramchandra visited local libraries and featured young readers, including her, in his film “Joy of Learning.”
Rita Banerjee, Director of Green Hub, expressed pride in her achievement, saying, “Manisha is one of the first Green Hub fellows to pitch her work on a global stage.”
Currently serving as president of the Forum of Library Activists, Medo, and a senior volunteer of the Lohit Youth Library Network, Manisha continues to inspire youth in her community. Grateful to her mentors and teachers, she dedicated the recognition to all who encouraged her to pursue her passion for documentary filmmaking.