International Film Festival in NE

By Our Film Critic

Meghalaya is known for music and Shillong is called the music capital of the country. But this time the much- awaited Meghalaya International Film Festival (MeghIFF) concluded recently this month, ushering in a wave of cinematic euphoria across the state. The festival was a haven for movie buffs, with an extensive line- up of films, events.

Commander Shangpliang, the president of Meghalayan Filmmakers Association (MefilMA), said, “Our industry will only grow from here as the youth will learn filmmaking. We need a film school that will go a long way in tapping the potential of the state.”

Actors- Adil Hussain, Sanjay Mishra, Anjali Patil and Barkha Bisht graced the occasion. Addressing the audience, Mishra said, “This is a beautiful beginning. Ten years down the line, this film festival will be regarded as prestigious.” 

Producer Sushil Chaudhury spoke about his production house, Picture Time, and also paid a tribute to actor and producer, Satish Kaushik. He said, “We want to create cinema halls across the country and also connect regional cinemas with mainstream cinemas. We hope to achieve this, going ahead.”

Bhutanese actress, Sonam Uangden, said, “It’s inspiring to see this exchange of ideas. The reason I’m here is love. That extends to our love for cinema as well. Love and passion will create the space for vibrant cinema here.” Mai Thu Huyen, Vietnamese filmmaker, hoped for a collaborative filmmaking culture between filmmakers of the state and Vietnam.

Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister for Information & Public Relations , as chief guest on the concluding day, assured that the state would be investing to support and encourage the talent of people to bolster a strong filmmaking culture here. A festival like this can only grow forward and in a collaborative spirit. People should also step forward and support the regional cinemas of Meghalaya, she added.

The festival was inaugurated earlier by Meghalaya’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Paul Lyngdoh. The rare event was attended by a star-studded list of  dignitaries  and film enthusiasts from across the country, adding to the glamour and excitement of the festival. The guest of honour at the inaugural function was none other than Adil Hussain, the versatile actor known for his powerful performances in films like “Life of Pi,” “English Vinglish,” and the recently produced “Lorni-  The  Flaneur.” He  said  that  this festival will showcase the vibrant culture of Meghalaya and the North Eastern region of India.

The festival features a handpicked   selection of films, ranging from thought-provoking documentaries to captivating    short films, which promise to entertain, inspire and enlighten the audience. The films are curated with an emphasis on showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Meghalaya and the region, providing a platform for local talent to showcase their work on  an  international stage. More  than  70 films and documentaries from 25-odd countries was screened in the festival, which has been divided into various sections, with a special session on films from Meghalaya as well.