CM distributes Hello Meghalaya grants to filmmakers

Shillong, June 3: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has distributed Hello Meghalaya Grants to support local filmmakers.

The move is to empower local talent and catalyse the growth of the state’s film industry.

Conrad along with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh disbursed grants to filmmakers, a transformative initiative under Hello Meghalaya.

The chief minister said in the last many years, the government of Meghalaya has realised the importance of looking at young generation as almost 50% of the state’s population is below the age of 20 making Meghalaya one of the youngest states in the country.

He emphasised on the huge potential of Meghalaya’s film industry in the presence of many creative people; and platforms such as Hello Meghalaya.

The grant is based on 4 categories- A, B, C and D. Under Category A, six nominated filmmakers received up to Rs 35 lakh to produce one feature film within a calendar year. Under Category B, eighteen filmmakers received up to Rs 25 lakh for feature films, while under Category C, four filmmakers received Rs 20 lakh for web series, disbursed per episode, with a minimum of 10 episodes, each 30-40 minutes long. Under Category D, nineteen filmmakers, emerging filmmakers from Meghalaya, received with up to Rs 5 lakh to create short films.

Paul said the event takes the film fraternity forward and celebrates the spirit of Meghalaya and the indigenous traditions of the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. He expressed his happiness on the Hello Meghalaya platform having done well since its launch. On the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy he welcomed positive tangible suggestions and inputs from the people.

The event also featured the highly anticipated first look of Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field) which was directed by Pradip Kurbah.

Film making exchange event 

During the programme, the Filmmaking Exchange Programme was also announced where for the first time Meghalaya Tourism in collaboration with Film and Television Institute (FTI), Arunachal Pradesh, will conduct masterclass sessions taught by Dominic Sangma, an award winning and a celebrated director, further strengthening regional collaboration in the creative arts. The exchange programme, supported by Tourism Department, will feature 30 students-15 students from Meghalaya and 15 students from Arunachal Pradesh.

The event culminated with a road show and flag-off ceremony by  chief minister . The road show aims to feature movies, content, promotional activities, and awareness on topics/issues that will be displayed in various locations across different districts of the state for 30 days.

Aimed at harnessing the potential of the creative economy and promote Meghalaya as a premier film tourism destination, the chief minister, alongside the Minister for Tourism, officially unveiled the Draft Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 today. The announcement was made at a special gathering of filmmakers, content creators, and media stakeholders, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.

Stating that the government has put forth the draft of the film, tourism and creative media policy, he said, “We wanted to showcase the draft, and we want feedback from you. So, please tell us the areas where you feel things should be changed, improved. We’d like to incorporate your ideas so that we can ultimately come up with a very robust policy.

“There is a scope for a Film Institute in our own state of Meghalaya. I’m very keen that we should do it, we can be that center point where people will come and want to stay here, and making it also the hub for different activities. I would like to see that there is more support given for our local filmmakers.”

The policy will soon be available on the Meghalaya One portal, with the government inviting public feedback until June 20, 2025, to ensure broad-based participation in shaping the final framework.

Aligned with Meghalaya’s Vision 2032 to become a $16 billion economy, the Film Tourism Policy is guided by three strategic pillars:

1. Promoting Meghalaya as a Premier Film Tourism Destination

Showcasing the State’s natural beauty, heritage, and culture to national and international filmmakers.

2. Strengthening the Local Film Ecosystem and Nurturing Talent Empowering local filmmakers, artists, and storytellers by providing infrastructure, upskilling opportunities, and visibility.

3. Positioning Meghalaya as a Central Hub for Film Production in the North East

Creating a competitive and filmmaker-friendly environment with financial incentives, institutional support, and streamlined facilitation.

The policy offers a wide range of benefits, including:

Financial incentives of up to Rs 1.5 crore for films in major Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi.

Special grants and subsidies for productions that highlight Meghalaya’s heritage, culture, and tourism.

Support for local content creators, including training and upskilling programs. Incentives for films premiering on Hello Meghalaya, the State’s official OTT platform, with added promotional and visibility support.

Encouragement of private investment to establish studios, labs, and post-production infrastructure.

The chief minister also outlined a vision for the future, proposing the establishment of a Film Institute in Meghalaya and ensuring film festivals are rotated across districts like Tura and Jowai-not just in Shillong-so that all regions can participate in this cultural movement.

Highlighting the collaborative spirit of the initiative, National Award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah remarked, “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 young filmmakers to stay authentic: “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.”

The Draft Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 marks a significant milestone in the State’s journey to becoming a leading destination in the global storytelling economy.