Shillong, March 18: Marking its entry into the international film festival circuit, the Meghalaya government has announced the inaugural edition of the Shillong International Film Festival (SIFF) 2026, scheduled to be held from March 25 to 27 at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.
Organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, the three-day festival is envisioned as a cultural and economic initiative aimed at promoting Meghalaya as a preferred destination for filmmakers while strengthening its creative economy.
The festival will bring together regional, national, and international cinema, with a strong focus on showcasing Northeast India’s storytelling landscape.
The curated lineup includes films from across the region such as Ha Lyngkha Bneng by Pradip Kurbah (Meghalaya), Our Home (Eikhoigi Yum) by Romi Meitei (Manipur), Kok Kok Kokoook by Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap (Assam), Maimizial by Raymond Colney (Mizoram), Ade by Theja Rio (Nagaland), and By the Home by Mankap Nokwoham (Arunachal Pradesh), among others.
These will be screened alongside international entries, including Impermanent Residents by Tuan Huu Nguyen (Vietnam) and Agent of Happiness by Arun Bhattarai (Bhutan), fostering cross-cultural exchange and dialogue.
Addressing the media, Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the festival is expected to open new avenues for filmmakers while promoting Meghalaya’s scenic and cultural appeal as a filming destination. He emphasised that the initiative would also create opportunities for local talent and boost tourism-linked economic activity.
As part of the festival, a series of masterclasses and workshops will be conducted by industry professionals, including filmmaker Dominic Sangma (screenplay writing) and Arnab Gayan (cinematography), aimed at equipping aspiring filmmakers with technical skills and industry exposure.
A key highlight of SIFF 2026 is the Student Short Film Competition, which seeks to nurture emerging voices from schools, colleges, and universities across Meghalaya. The competition, themed “Beyond Borders,” encourages participants to explore ideas of identity, culture, and shared human experiences through both fiction and non-fiction formats. Selected films will be screened during the festival, with winning entries gaining wider visibility.
The festival will also feature a “Film Shooting Promotion” initiative to attract filmmakers to the state, generate local employment, and further integrate cinema with Meghalaya’s tourism sector.
During the announcement, Rymbui also unveiled the festival logo and officially launched the event website and trailer in the presence of senior officials, including Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri and Director of Information and Public Relations B.S. Sohliya.
