Meghalaya Launches First Shillong International Film Festival as Government Backs Film Hub Plan

Overview

• Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma opened the three-day festival in Shillong on Wednesday, launching a showcase of 18 films from the Northeast with entries from Bhutan and Vietnam.
• The government said the Cabinet has approved Shillong Film City and set out plans for a film institute to build local skills.
• Officials cited ongoing support that includes the Hello Meghalaya streaming platform, a state film policy, and busking under the MGMP, a program that promotes street performances.
• Leaders pitched film as a jobs engine for a very young state, noting roles for actors, technicians, choreographers, designers, musicians, and even transport operators.
• Awards were presented at the opening, with PTI highlighting Meghalaya's bid to become a cinema hub and The Shillong Times focusing on the curated slate and youth opportunities.