Meira / 2026 / 11' / Manipuri / India
✦ Shorts
Meira foregrounds the historic and continuing resistance of the Meira Paibi, “women with torches” of Manipur. Emerging in response to the pervasive climate of fear produced by the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the film traces how ordinary women transformed themselves into vigilant custodians of their communities. Meira situates the movement within a longer genealogy of women-led resistance in Manipur.
Director(s) : Johnson Rajkumar
Producer(s) : Deepika Gurumayum & Johnson Rajkumar
Cinematographer(s) : Johnson Rajkumar, Andy Tourangbam, Sanabam Lamyanba Meitei
Writer(s) : Johnson Rajkumar, Deepika Gurumayum
Editor(s) : Johnson Rajkumar
Sound : Jimbo Ningombam
Music : Jimbo Ningombam
Johnson Rajkumar is a documentary filmmaker and film conservator based in Imphal, Manipur. His films engage with the region’s conflict, state violence, and lived experiences. His documentary Fireflies (2018) received national and international awards and was officially selected at several international film festivals. He has also worked as a cinematographer on documentary projects. He currently teaches as Guest Faculty in the Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University.
