filmmaker and journalist
Borun Thokchom is a distinguished filmmaker and journalist renowned for his exceptional contributions to documentary filmmaking and television journalism. With an illustrious career spanning various prestigious platforms, Borun currently serves as the Imphal correspondent for DY365, a prominent satellite news channel based in Assam. His remarkable talent is evident in his directorial and cinematographic endeavours, including the national award-winning documentary film “The Silent Poet” and the acclaimed “I Rise,” produced by Films Division, Mumbai. He is the director and cinematographer of the acclaimed documentary film “Battlefield”.
Borun Thokchom’s professional journey is marked by excellence, underscored by his selection as a jury member at prestigious film festivals such as the 69th National Film Awards in 2023 and the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. Specializing in documentary filmmaking, television journalism, cinematography, and production management, Borun eagerly anticipates new opportunities to contribute his expertise to compelling audio-visual productions.
ABOUT
Borun Thokchom is a filmmaker and journalist from Manipur whose work focuses on social realities, historical narratives, and human experiences rooted in the Northeast. Working across documentary cinema and journalism, he is known for research-driven storytelling and a careful, context-based approach to sensitive subjects.
As a filmmaker, his documentaries engage with themes of human rights, resilience, and memory. His works have been screened at major film festivals in India, including the International Film Festival of India and the Mumbai International Film Festival, and have received national and international recognition.
In journalism, Borun Thokchom is engaged in field reporting and analytical writing on governance, conflict-related developments, and social issues. His reporting prioritises factual clarity, balance, and responsible presentation, particularly while covering complex and politically sensitive situations.
Bridging visual storytelling and reportage, his work reflects a consistent commitment to documenting contemporary realities while preserving narratives that shape public understanding and historical record.
filmography
Borun Thokchom’s work in cinema predominantly spans documentary filmmaking, where his films explore socially relevant narratives and historical accounts grounded in real events and human stories.
JOURNALISM
Borun Thokchom’s work in journalism is rooted in field-based reporting, careful verification of facts, and sustained engagement with the social and political realities of Manipur and the wider Northeast region. His reporting frequently addresses conflict-related developments, governance, civil movements, cultural identity, and the everyday lives of people affected by long-standing instability.
He is known for handling politically sensitive issues with balance and restraint, presenting complex situations in a clear and structured news format. His journalistic output includes straight news reports, in-depth features, and analytical pieces that place current events within their historical and social context, allowing readers to understand not only what happened, but why it matters.
Borun Thokchom’s background in documentary filmmaking informs his journalistic style. Visual awareness, narrative flow, and attention to human detail strengthen his writing, enabling him to capture voices from the ground while maintaining professional distance and objectivity.
Through his journalism, he contributes to informed public discourse by documenting events that shape society and by preserving records of contemporary developments. His work in journalism complements his filmmaking practice, together reflecting a consistent commitment to truth, context, and social responsibility.
Awards and Recognition
Borun Thokchom has received recognition for his contribution to documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling, particularly for works that engage with social issues, human rights, and historical narratives rooted in Manipur and the Northeast.
His debut documentary The Silent Poet earned the National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director, marking an early milestone in his filmmaking career and bringing national attention to his work. The film was noted for its restrained narrative style and sensitive portrayal of a significant human rights movement.
His later documentary I Rise received multiple accolades at national and international film festivals, including awards recognising excellence in documentary filmmaking and storytelling centred on women’s achievement and resilience. The film’s festival selections further strengthened his standing within the documentary circuit.
Battlefield, his feature-length documentary on the Battle of Imphal, was selected for the Indian Panorama (Non-Feature) section at the International Film Festival of India, one of the country’s most respected platforms for showcasing significant Indian cinema. The selection highlighted the film’s research depth and its contribution to historical documentation.
Through these recognitions, Borun Thokchom’s work has been acknowledged for its integrity, narrative clarity, and commitment to documenting stories of social relevance and historical importance.
REVIEWS
Battlefield has generated diverse reactions from viewers and critics, with many noting its intense storytelling, strong performances, and immersive visuals. Audiences have appreciated its emotional depth and dramatic tension, while reviewers have highlighted its technical execution and narrative pace.
Explore what others are saying and see how Battlefield is being received across different perspectives.
Media and Press
Borun Thokchom’s work as a filmmaker and journalist has received coverage across news media and cultural platforms, particularly in connection with his documentary films and festival appearances.
His documentary Battlefield drew significant media attention following its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India, where it was selected for the Indian Panorama (Non-Feature) section. News reports highlighted the film’s focus on the Battle of Imphal and its contribution to documenting Second World War history from a local perspective. Coverage also noted the long research process behind the film and its relevance to Manipur’s historical memory.
Earlier, I Rise was reported in the media during its selection for the Mumbai International Film Festival, marking his growing presence in the national documentary circuit. Festival announcements and press reports positioned the film among notable contemporary documentary works.
In journalism, Borun Thokchom’s bylines have appeared in regional, national, and international news platforms, where his reporting on socio-political developments in Manipur and the Northeast has been published. Media interviews and features have also captured his views on documentary filmmaking, ethical journalism, and storytelling rooted in lived realities.