By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 10: The film industry in Meghalaya has been developing steadily in the previous two decades; but it remains wanting of a film policy.
However, this may soon change as the draft Meghalaya State Film Policy was on Monday submitted to IPR Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.
The draft policy was finalised after a series of deliberations and suggestions as well as recommendations from stakeholders.
It may be mentioned that the Mass Media Department of St. Anthony’s College together with Mass Communication Department, NEHU, organised a State Summit of filmmakers from across Meghalaya to share thoughts and discuss the film policy. Filmmakers, film academicians, film enthusiasts, film critics, and other stakeholders participated in the discussions.
Ideas were shared and suggestions were offered, which were compiled.
Valuable suggestions came from citizens of Garo Hills. These too were incorporated into one document.
On Monday, Dr Cherry Kharshiing (Summit Coordinator), Dr Kamaljit Chirom (Summit Co- Coordinator), Nathaniel Majaw (organising committee member) and Dr Rajani Chhetri (organising committee member) submitted the drafted policy to the IPR minister.
“We hope that through the minister, the Meghalaya government will … adopt this policy. This will go a long way in supporting our budding film industry, boost the revenue of the state and create employment for our talented youths,” a statement from the Meghalaya Film Policy Summit said.
The Summit also thanked members of Society of A’chik Film and Entertainment (SAFE) from Garo Hills and the members of New Dawn from Shillong who responded by giving additional inputs to the draft policy.