Imphal, Nov. 15 -- Two-time National Award-winning filmmaker Bobby Sarma Baruah's Tiwa-language feature, Sikaisal (If Only Trees Could Talk), received acclaim at the Tribal Frame 2026 National Tribal Film Festival in Manipur following its screening on November 13.

The 104-minute fiction film from Assam portrays the struggle of a dedicated teacher trying to bring education to a remote indigenous community. Set in West Karbi Anglong, the story follows Maheshwar Patar, whose dream of uplifting his people through literacy is tested when the school he fought to build remains empty.

Festival organisers and attendees said the film moves beyond simplistic tropes to examine the harsh realities of geographical isolation and social resistance. Thr...