Who is Lakshmipriya Devi? Meet the Boong director who made history at BAFTA 2026, spotlighting Manipur in her powerful acceptance speech.
Lakshmipriya Devi has etched her name into global cinema history after winning Best Children and Family Film at the BAFTA Film Awards 2026 for her debut feature Boong. Hailing from Manipur, the filmmaker’s emotional acceptance speech, where she spoke about the long-ignored conflict in her home state, resonated deeply, turning her into one of the most talked-about voices of the evening.
With her win, Lakshmipriya became one of the first Indian filmmakers from the Northeast to claim a BAFTA, marking a watershed moment for regional storytelling on the global stage.
Who is Lakshmipriya Devi?
Lakshmipriya Devi is an independent filmmaker, writer and director from Manipur, known for her socially conscious storytelling and focus on underrepresented communities. Before stepping into feature films, she built a strong reputation through short films and documentaries that explored identity, memory, displacement and political conflict.
Her cinematic voice draws heavily from lived experiences in Manipur, a region often overlooked in mainstream Indian cinema. Through her work, she aims to spotlight stories rooted in everyday resilience, childhood innocence, and emotional survival amid unrest.
Her emotional BAFTA acceptance speech
While accepting the award, Lakshmipriya delivered a powerful speech calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in Manipur, which she described as “ignored and unrepresented.” She urged the global community to pray for peace and healing, dedicating her award to those affected by ongoing violence.
She said, “Khurumjari! Greetings to everyone. The walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach the summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place. So, thank you to the jury members and BAFTA for giving our very small film such a big love. A film that is not only rooted in a place which is very troubled, very much ignored, and very unrepresented in India, my homeland, Manipur.”
Lakshmipriya Devi accepts the #EEBAFTAs Children’s and Family Film award for Boong 💫 🗻 pic.twitter.com/TFBnBmDVSx
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 22, 2026
She added, “Using the platform to speak about the situation back home, she added, “So, just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dreams once again. So, thank you, BAFTA, for giving us not only an award, but this stage to express our hope. Thank you, and have a wonderful evening, everyone.”
A voice for Northeast Indian cinema
Lakshmipriya Devi’s historic BAFTA win is being hailed as a turning point for Indian independent cinema, especially for filmmakers from marginalised regions. Industry insiders believe her success could pave the way for more diverse narratives from Northeast India to reach international audiences.
About
_Boong_: The film that made history
Boong is a tender coming-of-age drama that follows the emotional journey of a young boy navigating life in conflict-affected Manipur. Told through a child’s perspective, the film delicately explores themes of loss, hope, belonging and endurance. Set in the Manipur valley, the narrative follows a young boy determined to give his mother a heartfelt surprise. Guided by his childlike optimism, he believes that bringing his estranged father back home would be the perfect gift. But as his quest unfolds, it steers him towards an unforeseen yet hopeful new chapter in life.
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by producers Farhan Akhtar, Vikesh Bhutani, Alan McAlex, Ritesh Sidhwani and Shujaat Saudagar, the film stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam. It had its world premiere in the Discovery section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival before going on to screen at several international festivals.
The film stood out for its lyrical storytelling, authentic performances and deeply human portrayal of life in a region marked by prolonged turmoil. Its BAFTA win is being seen as a huge breakthrough for Northeast Indian cinema, bringing long-overdue international attention to stories from the region.
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