SHILLONG, June 3: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced the draft Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 on Tuesday, aiming to position the state as a leading film tourism destination. This unveiling took place during a special gathering attended by filmmakers, content creators, and media representatives. “We put forth the draft to seek feedback from you. Please share your ideas for improvements so we can develop a robust policy,” Sangma remarked, emphasizing the need for a film institute in Meghalaya to better support local filmmakers.
The draft policy will be accessible on the Meghalaya One portal, with public feedback invited until June 20 to facilitate inclusive participation in finalizing the framework. This initiative aligns with Meghalaya’s Vision 2032 goal of becoming a USD 16 billion economy, and is built on four strategic pillars: promoting Meghalaya as a top film tourism spot; showcasing the state’s natural beauty, heritage, and culture to filmmakers worldwide; strengthening the local film ecosystem; and creating a filmmaker-friendly environment with financial incentives and institutional support.
Significant benefits are outlined in the policy, including financial incentives of up to Rs 1.5 crore for films in major Indian languages such as Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Additional support includes grants for productions that feature Meghalaya’s heritage and culture, training programs for local content creators, and incentives for films premiering on Hello Meghalaya, the state’s official OTT platform. The policy also encourages private sector investment in studios and post-production facilities.
Sangma also proposed future initiatives, suggesting the establishment of a film institute in the state and ensuring that film festivals occur in various districts such as Tura and Jowai, not limited to Shillong. This, he believes, will foster wider participation in the cultural movement.
National award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah expressed optimism regarding these developments: “These steps are more than just government policies. They are laying the foundation for a sustainable film culture in Meghalaya. For many of us, this is the first time we truly feel there’s a space for our stories here at home.” He encouraged emerging filmmakers to remain authentic, stating, “Don’t rush to follow trends. Stay true to your stories, and more importantly, stay true to your heart. Real cinema is about emotion, honesty, and human connection.”
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/06/04/conrad-announces-draft-film-tourism-policy-seeks-feedback/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-06-04 04:14:00
