Shillong, May 10: The state government, which was criticised for its revised nominations for the Cannes Film Festival, has changed tack and re-recommended the name of filmmaker Dominic Sangma in place of Nicholas L. Kharkongor, who has already withdrawn his name. However, the question remains whether the state can represent at Cannes festival that is scheduled from May 16-27.
The last date for sending the nominations was April 26. As per the letter from the I&B Ministry to the state government, Meghalaya was supposed to “recommend names of up to 2 film personalities positively by 26th April, 2023, together with the details so that necessary arrangements for travel and stay can be processed”.
While the state government was “helpless to change the name of Commander Shangpliang”, it re-recommended the name of Dominic Sangma on May 9. But the closing date for sending the names was over and there was no extension.
According to the nominated filmmakers from other states, the visa process started immediately after the names were sent to the ministry.
Sources said the accreditation for Cannes closed three days back and without accreditation, one cannot enter any of the venues. “Cannes won’t enter any late entries. It is not some film festival happening in the neighbourhood,” said a source.
National awardee Pradip Kurbah said while he was informed about the initial nomination, he was unaware of the fact that his and Sangma’s names were replaced.
“We were informed unofficially by fellow filmmakers from the other parts of NE region who are going to Cannes,” he added.
Sangma went to Cannes in 2019 when his second feature film, Rapture, was selected for La Fabrique Cinema.
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