NEW DELHI: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday highlighted the various initiatives taken by his Government to provide a strong platform for film making in the region.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the three-day North East Film Festival on the theme ‘Fragrances from the North East’ which was inaugurated here on Friday.
Sangma stressed on the attractive and appropriate policies being developed to provide infrastructure to host even international film festivals.
“North East in general and Meghalaya in particular have many beautiful spots for shooting films. The State Government is developing such sites,” he said.
Inaugurating the Festival, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar said that the Government is fully committed to mainstream new initiatives in the North Eastern region across different sectors.
The inaugural function was attended by actors and directors from the region, including Manju Borah, Geetanjali Thapa, Oinam Gautam Singh, Mapuia Chawngthu, Alex Lalchhuankima, Abdul Muzid, Tashi Lhamu, Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi and Meena Debbarma.
The inaugural function was followed by a cultural evening wherein Papon, famed singer and composer performed along with his band The East India Company. Khawnglung Run (Mizoram), directed by Mapuia Chawngthu was the opening film of the Festival.
Other films to be screened include Sonam (Arunachal Pradesh), Ajeyo (Assam), Phijigee Mani (Manipur), Ri (Meghalaya), Bamboo Shoots (Nagaland), Going the Distance (Nagaland), Kathaa (Sikkim) and Yarwng (Tripura).
Pradip Kurbah’s award-winning film Ri would be the closing film at the Festival.