Wednesday, June 4, 2025
In 2025, the government of Meghalaya unveiled its ambitious Film Tourism Policy, aimed at tapping into the global storytelling economy by promoting the state as a key destination for filmmakers and content creators. This move is part of the state’s broader efforts to capitalize on its cultural and natural assets, positioning Meghalaya as a competitive player in the creative economy. The announcement was made during a special gathering of filmmakers, content creators, and media stakeholders, led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh. It was revealed that the policy, which seeks to shape the future of film tourism in Meghalaya, would be open for public feedback until June 20, 2025, through the Meghalaya One portal.
The launch of this draft policy aligns with the state’s Vision 2032, which aims to make Meghalaya a $16 billion economy. By leveraging the global film industry, the state hopes to not only boost tourism but also generate significant economic activity and employment through creative industries. This initiative provides a platform for the state’s scenic landscapes, cultural richness, and untapped artistic potential to shine on the global stage.
Harnessing Natural Beauty and Culture to Attract Filmmakers
The Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy is a comprehensive document that outlines the state’s strategy for utilizing its unique resources—its stunning natural beauty, rich heritage, and diverse culture—as a magnet for filmmakers both from India and abroad. The policy is designed to make Meghalaya a filmmaker-friendly destination, offering incentives, infrastructure, and institutional support to encourage filmmakers to choose the state for shooting their films and series.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma emphasized that the policy’s goal was not only to attract national and international filmmakers but also to empower local filmmakers by providing them with the tools and support to bring their stories to life. This includes offering training, upskilling programs, and visibility for local creators through various initiatives. Additionally, the policy aims to facilitate the establishment of necessary infrastructure, including studios, labs, and post-production facilities, to ensure that filmmakers have access to state-of-the-art resources in the state itself.
Financial Incentives for Filmmakers and Content Creators
One of the key features of the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy is the introduction of financial incentives designed to attract filmmakers to the region. Under the policy, filmmakers can receive financial support of up to ₹1.5 crores for films in major Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi. These incentives aim to reduce production costs and make it more appealing for filmmakers to shoot in Meghalaya, offering them a platform to showcase the state’s picturesque landscapes and rich heritage.
The government is also offering special grants and subsidies for productions that focus on promoting Meghalaya’s heritage, culture, and tourism. This financial backing is aimed at supporting films that highlight the local culture and can serve as a promotional tool for the state. The policy also offers support for local content creators, including training and upskilling opportunities to help foster homegrown talent.
Furthermore, the state’s official OTT platform, Hello Meghalaya, is playing an essential role in supporting local content. Films and web series premiering on this platform will receive additional promotional and visibility support. The platform serves as a crucial step in giving local creators a stage to showcase their work to a broader audience, making the state a hub for emerging filmmakers.
Strengthening the Infrastructure for Film Production
In addition to the financial incentives, the policy encourages private investment to set up studios, film labs, and post-production infrastructure in Meghalaya. This move is designed to create a sustainable film ecosystem in the state, reducing the need for filmmakers to rely on external locations and resources. By developing the necessary infrastructure locally, Meghalaya aims to become a self-sustaining hub for the film industry, providing both the facilities and the incentives needed for filmmakers to thrive.
The introduction of these incentives is expected to significantly impact the tourism sector as well. As more filmmakers use Meghalaya as a location for their films, it will undoubtedly lead to increased exposure for the state’s unique landscapes, historical sites, and cultural offerings. This, in turn, will drive tourism, bringing visitors eager to experience the places they’ve seen on screen.
Support for Emerging Filmmakers in Meghalaya
The policy also includes provisions for supporting emerging filmmakers in Meghalaya, with the aim of nurturing local talent and encouraging young creators to stay true to their roots. As part of the initiative, the government has made provisions for grants under four categories: A, B, C, and D.
- Category A: Six nominated filmmakers will receive up to ₹35 lakh to produce a feature film within a year.
- Category B: Eighteen filmmakers will receive ₹25 lakh each to produce feature films.
- Category C: Four filmmakers will receive ₹20 lakh for web series productions, with a minimum of 10 episodes.
- Category D: Nineteen emerging filmmakers from Meghalaya will receive ₹5 lakh to create short films.
These grants are intended to encourage young filmmakers to pursue their projects and enhance the local filmmaking ecosystem by providing the financial backing needed to produce high-quality content. The Hello Meghalaya platform, alongside these financial incentives, plays a crucial role in ensuring that filmmakers can showcase their work to a wider audience.
Masterclasses and Regional Collaboration: Strengthening Creative Connections
In an effort to further strengthen the region’s filmmaking culture, the Meghalaya government has also partnered with the Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Arunachal Pradesh to organize a filmmaking exchange program. This initiative, announced by the Chief Minister, will feature award-winning filmmaker Dominic Sangma, who will conduct masterclasses for aspiring filmmakers from both Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. The exchange program will involve 30 students, with 15 students from each state, creating a cross-border collaboration aimed at building regional creative connections and enhancing the film education ecosystem in both states.
The masterclasses and collaborative programs like this will help foster an environment of growth and knowledge exchange for aspiring filmmakers in the Northeast region of India. By offering access to industry experts and professionals, these programs are expected to give young filmmakers the tools they need to succeed in the highly competitive world of film production.
The Hello Meghalaya Grants: Nurturing Local Talent
The grants distributed by the Chief Minister at the State Convention Centre were designed to support filmmakers working on a wide range of projects, from short films to feature films and web series. The government’s proactive stance on supporting local creators was evident in its commitment to not just attract external filmmakers but also to cultivate the talents of Meghalaya’s homegrown talent.
The event also featured a screening of the film Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field), which had won the Best Film award at the 47th Moscow International Film Festival. This was a fitting showcase of the kind of cinematic talent that Meghalaya aims to foster, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural backdrop providing a perfect canvas for filmmakers.
The Road Show: A Statewide Promotion for Film Tourism
To further raise awareness about the state’s new Film Tourism Policy, the government organized a 30-day road show across different districts of Meghalaya. This event aimed to feature films, content, promotional activities, and discussions about the issues surrounding film tourism and the creative economy. The roadshow will help ensure that all districts are involved in this film-focused initiative, creating a statewide effort to make the most of the opportunities presented by the new policy.
The roadshow also serves as a way for filmmakers, content creators, and the public to engage with the policy and its potential benefits, creating an inclusive dialogue around the future of film tourism in Meghalaya. The event underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that this policy reaches all corners of the state, providing opportunities for everyone involved in the creative economy.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Film Tourism in Meghalaya
The introduction of the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy in 2025 marks a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to diversify its economy and attract international attention to its unique assets. By providing filmmakers with financial incentives, infrastructural support, and a platform for showcasing their work, the policy aims to position Meghalaya as a major player in the global film tourism sector.
The policy’s focus on local talent, infrastructure development, and regional collaboration will help build a sustainable film culture in the state, benefiting both the local economy and the tourism industry. The global appeal of film tourism, paired with the state’s natural beauty and cultural richness, presents a powerful combination that will likely attract filmmakers and tourists alike, driving growth and visibility for Meghalaya in the coming years.
