‘Film festivals to be held across state, not just in Shillong’
Shillong, June 3: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has announced a proposal to set up a film institute in Meghalaya and that film festivals would be held in different parts of the state, not just in capital Shillong.
The film institute would help train young filmmakers and artistes from Meghalaya and attract talent from across the country and abroad, he said while addressing Hello Meghalaya – Integrated Grant Disbursement Event in Shillong on Tuesday..
In a lighter vein, he said, “It could be called the Conrad Film Institute or something else,” adding, “but the idea is serious — we want to give our youth a real chance to grow in this field.”
Explaining his idea of ensuring inclusiveness in this sector, he said “We don’t want everything to happen only in the capital. We want people in Tura, Jowai, and other places to be part of this cultural movement.”
Meanwhile as part of the event, grants were given to local filmmakers under the Hello Meghalaya programme.
The government also announced a filmmaking exchange with the Film and Television Institute in Arunachal Pradesh to promote learning and teamwork among young creators from the region.
The chief minister said these steps are part of the draft Meghalaya Film Tourism & Creative Media Policy 2025, which is open for public suggestions before it is finalized.
“We’re trying to build something lasting. It’s not just about one event — it’s about making sure that every young person with a story to tell has a way to share it,” he said.
During the programme, the Ward’s Lake was officially handed over from Forest department to Tourism department.
The event also saw the launch of the Tourism Buddy Programme.
Among those felicitated include national award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah and his team, whose film “Ha Lyngkha Bneng” has gained international attention.
Meanwhile, tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh highlighted the transformative role of art in society. He celebrated the rise of local creators, including Pradip Kurbah and Dominic Sangma, whose works have garnered critical acclaim.
Lyngdoh emphasized inclusivity and accessibility, citing plans to build cinema halls in Shillong, Tura, and Jowai, supported under the CM Elevate program.
“Earlier, there was a lack of platforms. Now, we are providing both digital and physical avenues for creators to shine,” he added.
The Meghalaya Film Tourism & Creative Media Policy 2025 — in its draft stage — outlines incentives for filmmakers, including support for local talent, infrastructure development, and promotion of film festivals across the districts.
The tourism minister concluded with a rousing call to action: “We don’t shy away from criticism, but we don’t dwell on it either. Our job is to move boldly, create fearlessly, and stay rooted in who we are.”
