SHILLONG, MAR 18: Meghalaya will host its first Shillong Film Festival from March 25‑27 at the State Convention Centre, Information and Public Relations minister Lahkmen Rymbui announced, calling it a path‑breaking initiative that the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is organising for the first time.
“This is a path‑breaking because many things will have to follow after this,” Rymbui told reporters on Wednesday, noting entries from across the Northeast, other states and overseas.
He said the festival aims to showcase Meghalaya’s culture, landscape and tourist locations, and give local youth a chance to learn from internationally acclaimed directors.
Workshops on film‑making and editing will run alongside screenings.
Rymbui recalled that Khasi cinema began more than 40 years ago with Laiphew Syiem and the 1980s colour film Manik Raitong, and said the current wave of Khasi, Garo and other language productions deserves support.
He cited recent awards for Pradip Kurbah’s Ha Lyngkha Bneng and the Garo film Chanchisoa directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das, and listed Ka Chithi by Simi Khongthiang among local works to be screened.
Positioning the event as part of the chief minister’s youth‑opportunity mission, he urged young people “to come and witness and familiarise themselves with the process of film‑making,” and asked DIPR officers to ensure smooth conduct “so we can organise similar events in the future.”
Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Mantri said the upcoming Shillong Film Festival fulfils a long‑standing demand and marks the start of sustained government support for Meghalaya’s film sector.
“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 Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, we are able to do this,” Mantri said.
He called the March 25‑27 festival “path‑breaking for us” and the first of what will be continued and “increased” editions.
Mantri said government involvement through DIPR aims to bridge gaps holding back the local film industry.
“The film industry has not been picking up because of various issues,” he noted.
“Now government is taking keen interest… this is one of the initiatives under DIPR.”
By Our Reporter
