Newsroom, February 23, 2026: The Manipuri film Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi in her feature debut, took home the BAFTA for Best Children’s & Family Film at the 2026 ceremony in London.
Backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, the story follows a resilient schoolboy navigating ethnic tensions and border struggles in Manipur to reunite his family.
It outshone strong nominees including Arco, Lilo & Stitch, and Zootopia 2. The win marks a historic moment for Indian regional cinema, spotlighting underrepresented voices from the Northeast.
Devi’s emotional acceptance speech highlighted Manipur’s challenges, thanking BAFTA for amplifying a small film from a troubled region. Producers including Akhtar were present to celebrate the milestone.
