Imphal: Manipuri film maker, Haobam Paban Kumar's “Joshep’s Son” is again in the limelight as it has been nominated among 14 films for the Alternativa Film Awards 2023, Kazakhstan.

Paban's “Joseph's Son” had its world premiere at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival in the main competition section held in June 2023. The film is produced by the National Film Development Corporation and co-produced by Oli Pictures, Imphal.The main protagonist is Guru Rewben Mashangva.

Besides, different languages of Tangkhul, Meitei, Thadou Kuki and Rongmei being used, the film also depicts different characters like Tangkhul, Meitei, Thadou Kuki, Rongmei and Biharis.

The story of the film is about Joseph, a musician who reluctantly sets out on the long journey to look for his missing son David, a passionate footballer who had gone missing. As he travels, his fear grows deeper: a fear born of constant conflict - past and present – to which a personal fear is added. The film in a kind is very relevant to the present crisis of ethnic clashes in Manipur.

Paban Kumar says, "As a storyteller, it’s very important that my films reflect my contemporary realities. Manipur is home to 35 different tribes and sub-tribes, each with its own language, culture and traditions. Today there is huge unrest in Manipur between the various ethnic groups fighting for their identity, land and forests. This is a story about the fear and uncertainty of people living in places torn by decades of insurgency and ethnic division".

The nominated films of Alternativa Film Awards 2023 include 12 Weeks by Anna Isabelle Matutina (Philippines), Childless Village by Reza Jamali (Iran), Bauryna Salu by Askhat Kuchinchirekov (Kazakhstan), Bride Kidnapping by  Mirlan Abdykalykov (Kyrgyzstan), Cotton 100% by Michael Borodin (Uzbekistan), Haeil by Yujeong Noh, Yeeun Lee, Dabeen An and Soyeon Kim (South Korea), Joseph's Son by Haobam Paban Kumar (India), No Winter Holidays by Rajan Kathet and Sunir Pandey (Nepal), Qoryqpa by Katerina Suvorova (Kazakhstan), Sunday  by Shokir Kholikov (Uzbekistan), The Prisoner of Wakhan by Janyl Jusupjan (Kyrgyzstan), Tul (Orphan) by Sharipa Urazbayeva (Kazakhstan), Whispers of Fire & Water by Lubdhak Chatterjee (India) and  Who’s Next? by Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva and Sultana Usuvaliev (Kyrgyzstan).

The winners will be announced at the inaugural awards ceremony on December 2, 2023 at Almaty in Kazakhstan.

The Alternativa Film Awards is an integral part of the Alternativa Film Project driven by global tech company in drive in Kazakhstan. Each film was meticulously selected by a committee of experts, including festival curators, film critics, directors, producers, and cultural journalists from Asia.

The Alternativa Film Awards place equal importance on each accolade, with each category carrying a cash prize of $20,000. The categories are Future Voice, Spotlight, Alter, Nativa, and Short Awards, recognizing directors set to significantly impact the film industry and society, highlighting crucial overlooked topics, addressing pressing social issues and celebrating films exploring national or cultural identity.