Imphal, Aug 16 (UNI) Haobam Paban Kumar, an International award winning filmmaker yet again makes history of sorts with entry of his debut feature film Loktak Lairembee for competition at the prestigious Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the region’s highest accolade in film. APSA acclaims cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia Pacific region. In a unique collaboration, Paris based UNESCO and FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations - brings together this important film event to nominate some of the best filmmakers in the Asia Pacific region. This year’s awards will be held on November 23 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane, Australia. Haobam Paban Kumar’s Loktak Lairembee creates history for Manipuri Cinema by becoming the first film from Manipur to compete for this prestigious international award. Since the inception of APSA, thousands of films from the region have competed in this international event, demonstrating a rich state of diversity – each film telling its own story, in its own way, from its country of origin. The Asia Pacific Screen Academy has forged an international academy alliance with the European Film Academy which presents the prestigious annual European Film Awards. The Academy encourages dialogue, collaboration and business opportunities for the region’s filmmakers. Paban’s Loktak Lairembee had already created waves with its entry at the prestigious 67th Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year. Recently, the film won the German Star of India award at the 14th Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart Germany. The film was also awarded the Best Environment Film at the 64th National Film Awards 2017, Special Mention – Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, 26th G Aravindan Puruskaram for the Best Debut Director 2016, FIPRESCI India Critics Award – 9th Bengaluru International Film Festival 2017, Silver Bodhisattva Award – 2nd Bodhisattva International Film Festival 2017. It also won the prestigious Golden Gateway Award at the 18th Mumbai Film Festival last year and the NETPAC Award (Asian Select) at the 22nd Kolkata International Film Festival 2016. It was World premiered at the Asian New Currents of the 21st Busan International Film Festival held in the Korean city during 2016. Loktak Lairembee was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the 47th International Film Festival of India at Goa, Indian Kaleidoscope Film Festival in New York, World Cinema at the 3rd Dubai International Film Festival, and the Indian Cinema Now at the 21st Kerala International Film Festival 2016. Significantly, Loktak Lairembee was honoured as the Inaugural Film at the 21st Agartala Film Festival 2016. The film was awarded the Special Jury Award in the World Cinema section of the 15th Pune International Film Festival. UNI NS AKM