In a moment that quietly but firmly repositions Indian regional storytelling on the world map, Boong has won the BAFTA for Best Children’s and Family Film at the 79th British Academy Film Awards in London. Backed by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, the heartfelt drama took the top prize in its category, putting a spotlight on a film rooted in Manipur and powered by a child’s-eye view of love, longing and resilience.
The win landed at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, where the film’s key collaborators were present to receive the honour, including producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, director-writer Lakshmipriya Devi and producer Alan McAlex.
Boong Clinches BAFTA Win Over Major Global Contenders
At the 2026 ceremony held on February 22 in London, Boong emerged winner in the Best Children’s and Family Film category, beating international titles Arco, Lilo & Stitch and Zootropolis 2. The victory is being viewed as a significant breakthrough for a film that has travelled through international festival circuits before reaching wider audiences, and for a story that foregrounds a lesser-seen cultural and political landscape without losing the emotional simplicity that defines its genre.
The BAFTA recognition also adds a major milestone to Excel Entertainment and Chalkboard Entertainment’s expanding footprint beyond mainstream Hindi cinema, especially through projects championing new voices and rooted, region-first narratives.
A Child’s Quest, Set Against The Valley Of Manipur
Boong follows a little boy who wants to surprise his mother with a “gift” he believes will fix everything: bringing his absent father back home. What begins as innocence-driven determination soon turns into a journey that unsettles his understanding of the world, before culminating in an unexpected new beginning.
The film’s premise stays intimate, but its setting in Manipur gives the narrative a texture rarely explored in children’s dramas, making its BAFTA win feel doubly meaningful: it is both a universal emotional story and a culturally specific one.
Film Details, Cast And Release Status
Lakshmipriya Devi directs and writes Boong. The film stars child actor Gugun Kipgen in the lead role, with Bala Hijam, Angom Sanamatum, Vikram Kochhar, Hamom Sadananda and Jenny Khurai in key parts. It is produced by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, with producers including Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Alan McAlex.
A coming-of-age drama at its core, the film has been positioned as a children’s and family title with an emotional, journey-driven storyline. Boong released theatrically in India on September 19, 2025, after its festival run.
Photos from the ceremony are available via Getty Images.
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