A Manipuri feature film that captures the human cost of the ethnic violence which erupted in the state in 2023 has made its international debut at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) 2026. The 85-minute production, Enoong Ngallandal (Fireflies in the Dark), was screened under the Panorama Cinemas of Asia section, marking a significant milestone for its creators.
The film intertwines three narratives: a pregnant woman attempting to deliver her child amid gunfire, a boy searching for his mother while accompanied by a displaced calf, and a café owner who risks her safety to shelter those escaping the unrest. Producer Jani Viswanath emphasized that the story does not glorify violence but instead highlights the resilience of ordinary people struggling to survive and rebuild their lives.
Director Yogesh Lohan, who co-wrote the script with Chingsanglakpa, said his writing was shaped by conversations with survivors in Manipur. He noted that while their accounts revealed immense pain, they also reflected hope and determination. Shot across real locations with the support of local communities, the film seeks to honor those affected by the conflict without turning their suffering into spectacle.
The cast includes Bala Hijam Ningthoujam, recognized for her role in the BAFTA-winning Boong, alongside Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi, Angom Pamdamba Singh, Ahelbam Chiranjit, Luwang Yumlembam, and Ratan Lai. Several debut actors from villages and refugee camps also feature prominently. The creative team comprises cinematographer Ravi Ranjan Sharma, creative director Meena Longjan, sound designers Amrit Pritam and Debajit Changmai, composer Daniel B George, editor Tinni Mitra, and executive producer Rajni Basumatary.
Lohan described the Vancouver screening as an emotional milestone, underscoring the challenges the team overcame to bring the film to audiences worldwide.