SHILLONG, May 1: The state government has recommended the names of two prominent filmmakers — Pradip Kurbah and Dominic Sangma — to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to represent the state in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year.
A senior government official on Monday said that the Information and Public Relations Department had recommended the two names to the Art and Culture Department which later forwarded it to the state government.
“Finally, the government forwarded the two names to the Ministry. It will be a great thing and good exposure for the two filmmakers of the state to be able to attend such a prestigious event and to be able to interact with the renowned filmmakers from Hollywood and Bollywood,” the official said.
The official, however, said that it is yet to be finalised as to whether Kurbah and Sangma, both of who represent Filmmakers Fraternity Art Cine Entertainment, will be finally representing the state in Cannes.
“It is the Ministry which will take the final call since the state government had been asked to submit the names by the Ministry,” the official added.
It may be mentioned that Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a letter addressed to the state government on April 21 had stated that the Ministry in its effort to promote and take the film sector forward across the country and also to enhance its rich tradition and culture through films across the globe has been taking up various measures including participation in various international film festivals, organisation of International Film Festivals of India at Goa, promotion of film festivals in different parts of India amongst others. In this effort special attention has also been given to development of the film sector in the Northeast.
He further mentioned that the Northeast Film Festival was successfully conducted from 24-27 of March, 2023 where cinemas of the Northeastern states were showcased in Mumbai with participation of film personalities from the region.
“It is being considered to send a delegation of Northeast film fraternities at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival which is to be held from May 16 -27, 2023 for supporting development of the Northeast film sector,” Kumar said.
He said that the Ministry intends to support a delegation of up to two persons from Meghalaya with the sponsorship for their travel that includes airfare and stay.
“This will give them an exposure to one of the world’s prestigious film festival and let them meet some of the film fraternities from across the globe. Hence you may recommend names of up to two film personalities positively by April 26, 2023 together with the details so that necessary arrangements for travel and stay can be processed,” Kumar added.
It may be mentioned that Pradip Kurbah is a national award winner for his films Ri – Homeland of Uncertainty (best feature film in Khasi) in 2013 and Onaatah (best feature film in Khasi) in 2015. In 2021 his film Iewduh won the national award on two counts – the best Khasi Film and Best Audiography (Location Sound).
Dominic Sangma’s film Ma-Ama – in Garo language, is the first film from Meghalaya and the only Indian film to be selected in the international competition section of the Jio MAMI Film Festival, 2018. The film is an Indo-China production.
Other than these two filmmakers from Meghalaya no one has reached these levels of national and international recognition.
