SHILLONG, MAR 18: In a major push to promote the state’s film industry, the Government of Meghalaya will host the inaugural Shillong Film Festival from March 25 to 27 at the State Convention Centre Shillong.
Announcing the initiative, Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui described the festival as “path-breaking,” noting that it marks the first time the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is organising such an event.
“This is path-breaking because many things will have to follow after this,” Rymbui told reporters, adding that the festival has received entries from across the Northeast, other parts of India, and abroad.
The three-day festival will feature film screenings, workshops on filmmaking and editing, and awards recognising local talent. It is aimed at showcasing Meghalaya’s culture, scenic landscapes, and tourism potential, while also providing a platform for aspiring filmmakers to interact with established industry professionals.
Highlighting the legacy of regional cinema, Rymbui noted that Khasi films date back over four decades, citing pioneers like Laiphew Syiem and the 1980s film Manik Raitong. He said the current wave of Khasi, Garo, and other regional productions deserves institutional support.
The minister also pointed to recent successes, including Ha Lyngkha Bneng by Pradip Kurbah and the Garo film Chanchisoa, directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das. Among the local entries to be screened is Ka Chithi by Simi Khongthiang.
Positioning the festival as part of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s broader youth-focused initiatives, Rymbui encouraged young people to engage with the filmmaking process and explore opportunities in the creative sector.
Earlier, Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Mantri said the festival fulfils a long-pending demand and signals sustained government backing for the state’s film industry.
“It has been a very long pending demand… finally, under the leadership of the minister, with support from the Government of India and guidance from the Chief Minister, we are able to do this,” Mantri said.
He added that the government, through DIPR, aims to address structural challenges faced by the local film industry and ensure that future editions of the festival are expanded and held regularly.
