Manipuri film Boong makes history as the first Indian film to win Best Children’s & Family Film at BAFTA Awards 2026, beating major global contenders.
Boong triumphed over global heavyweights, including Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Arco, and Zootropolis 2, in the same category, films that enjoyed widespread box-office success and international attention. (Photo: Instagram/awesomeitv)
In a memorable moment for Indian cinema, Boong, a Manipuri-language coming-of-age drama, won the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) in London. The win is historic, Boong is the first Indian film ever to claim this honour, overcoming stiff competition from noted international films.
The accolade marks a breakthrough for regional cinema from India’s Northeast, shining a global spotlight on stories rooted in local cultures and languages that have traditionally been underrepresented on big international stages.
The 79th BAFTA Awards took place on February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Amid the glamour and red-carpet star power, Boong stood out by winning the Best Children’s & Family Film category.
Boong triumphed over global heavyweights, including Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Arco, and Zootropolis 2, in the same category, films that enjoyed widespread box-office success and international attention.
The award was presented on stage in front of a star-studded audience that included British royalty such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, highlighting the global recognition this regional Indian film has achieved.
Boong marks the feature directorial debut of Lakshmipriya Devi, produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, together with partners Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures.
The film tells the tender and poignant story of a young schoolboy named Boong, who lives in a conflict-affected part of Manipur. Despite the challenges around him, he decides to set out on a brave journey with his friend to find his missing father, believing that reuniting his family would mean the greatest gift for his mother.
Shot against the backdrop of social and political tensions, Boong blends emotional depth with a child’s innocent courage, offering a universal story of hope and resilience that resonated with BAFTA jurors worldwide.
Receiving the BAFTA on behalf of the team, Lakshmipriya Devi delivered a heartfelt speech that went beyond cinema. She called the moment “the last few steps to reach the summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place.”
Devi used the global platform to shine a light on her home state. She said, “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 dream once again.”
She concluded on a hopeful note: “We pray that no conflict is ever formidable enough to destroy the one super power that all of us have as human beings, that is forgiveness. So thank you BAFTA for giving us not only an award, but this stage to express our hope.”
Until Boong’s victory, no Indian film had ever won in the Best Children’s & Family Film category at the BAFTAs. This achievement expands the global recognition of Indian cinema beyond mainstream Bollywood narratives and highlights the rich storytelling potential of regional films.
The win also reflects a growing appreciation for diverse cultural narratives in world cinema, showing that engaging storytelling rooted in real-life experiences can stand tall against big-budget and franchise films.
Boong first debuted at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024 and received critical applause. It also travelled to multiple international festivals before its theatrical release in India in September 2025.
Its journey from small-town Manipur to the global BAFTA stage underscores the power of authentic storytelling and sets a promising precedent for filmmakers from all corners of India.
As Boong brings home this historic award, Indian cinema celebrates a landmark achievement, not just for a film, but for the voices and stories of regional India. The BAFTA win recognizes the courage to tell a deeply human tale that connects across borders, languages, and cultures.
The success of Boong will likely encourage more filmmakers to explore diverse landscapes and narratives, broadening the horizons of Indian cinema on the world stage.
