Indian cinema secured a major milestone at the BAFTA Awards 2026, where the Manipuri-language film ‘Boong’ won the award for Best Children and Family Film. The honour is presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and is regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the global film industry.
‘Boong’ prevailed over several high-profile and big-budget contenders in the category, including ‘Lilo & Stitch’, ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Arco’. The win marks a significant moment for Indian regional cinema on the international stage.
The film has been produced under the banner of Excel Entertainment, founded by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. The production house has previously backed multiple successful and critically recognised projects. Nominations for the awards were announced in January 2026, and it has now been officially confirmed that ‘Boong’ secured the BAFTA honour.
Writer and director Lakshmipriya Devi delivered an emotional speech while accepting the award. From the stage, she expressed her wish for peace and stability in Manipur. She stated that she wanted to use the platform to pray for peace in the region and voiced hope for a better future for displaced children and for the return of their dreams.
She further said that no conflict should be so large that it erases fundamental human values such as humanity and forgiveness. Her remarks resonated with the international audience and underscored the film’s social message.
‘Boong’ is described as a coming-of-age drama centred on a young boy in Manipur who sets out in search of his missing father in an effort to bring happiness to his troubled single mother. Beyond its familial narrative, the film explores themes of belonging, identity, social instability and political circumstances.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, where it received a positive response. It subsequently continued its run on the international festival circuit before winning at the BAFTA Awards 2026.
The cast includes Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam, Angom Sanamtum, Vikram Kochhar, Nemetia Ngangbam, Jenny Khurai and Hamom Sadananda in key roles.
