This paper explores the dual role of Manipuri college students as both consumers and creators of visual media. It examines the filmographic preferences (mainstream, regional, and arthouse cinema) and the production of popular video content (YouTube, Instagram Reels, and short films) among this demographic. Using a qualitative framework, the study finds that Manipuri students navigate a unique media ecology shaped by limited theatrical infrastructure, high smartphone penetration, ethnic identity politics, and a burgeoning “digital first” film movement. Key findings include a preference for manipuri language vlogs, a resurgence of interest in classic Manipuri cinema, and the use of popular videos as tools for cultural preservation and social commentary.

To understand the current filmography, one must look back ten years. Before high-speed 4G, Manipuri students relied on Doordarshan and a handful of state films. However, the JNURC (Jawaharlal Nehru Union Revolutionary Committee) blockade and internet shutdowns ironically fostered a "DIY" film culture. When the internet returned, students from colleges like DM College of Arts (Imphal) , Manipur University, and Pettigrew College began uploading raw, unpolished content to YouTube.

The turning point was 2016. A group from Standard College (Kongba) released a parody of a Korean drama scene using Meitei slangs, garnering over 200,000 views in a week. This proved that vernacular, hyper-local content could outpace national media.

Manipuri college students are not passive viewers but architects of a new visual culture where filmography and popular videos merge. Their work—raw, witty, and rooted in the hills—challenges monolithic narratives of “Indian youth media.” For scholars, this field offers urgent insights into how marginalized language groups use accessible technology to write, shoot, and share their own stories.

If you want to dive into this universe, generic YouTube search isn't enough. You need to know the hubs.

In the lush valleys of Imphal, a quiet revolution is taking place—not with loud protests or political decrees, but through the lenses of DSLR cameras and smartphones. Over the last decade, Manipuri college students have emerged as a powerful creative force, transforming the region’s media landscape. Moving beyond the traditional constraints of the Manipuri film industry (often referred to as "Manipurwood"), this new generation of student filmmakers is producing content that is raw, relatable, and rapidly going viral.

From short films addressing mental health to satirical sketches about student life, the filmography of Manipuri college students represents a distinct and vital genre of digital storytelling.