Shillong: The Indian Film and Television Institute (IFTI), Arunachal Pradesh, film exchange programme, held in collaboration with ‘Hello Meghalaya’, the state-owned over-the-top (OTT) platform, concluded its three-week journey here Saturday, celebrating storytelling, regional culture, and creative exchange.The event brought together 30 emerging filmmakers from across India and Meghalaya, supported by the state govt.“As part of its growing commitment to foster local talent, Meghalaya’s OTT platform ‘Hello Meghalaya’ has not only amplified regional content but also created real-world opportunities through programmes like this exchange. The platform, launched just a year ago, has already become a transformative space for filmmakers, artists, and creators from Meghalaya,” an IFTI statement said.“Designed by the screenplay department of IFTI, Arunachal Pradesh, the programme paired IFTI students with participants from Meghalaya. Divided into mixed groups, the teams worked collaboratively to develop, shoot, and edit short fiction films that draw from the region’s rich soundscapes, folklore, and natural environment,” the statement said.Mentored by acclaimed filmmakers such as Pradip Kurbah, Dominic Sangma, Jules Basaiawmoit and Kitkupar Shanpliang, each group produced a 5-7 minute film under the theme ‘Stories in the Mist: Music, Myths and Soundscapes of Shillong’.Cyril V Diengdoh, executive director of The Meghalayan Age Ltd, expressed admiration for the quality and depth of the films produced during the exchange, saying it was hard to believe they were made in just two days. “He noted how beautifully the visuals captured the essence of Meghalaya, its rains, natural textures, and music, and reflected on how cinema can powerfully bring out the soul of a beautiful place like Meghalaya,” the IFTI said. Diengdoh lauded the collaboration between IFTI and ‘Hello Meghalaya’, describing it as a “meaningful convergence of vision, sincerity, and dedication” to the craft of filmmaking and spoke of the growing creative ecosystem being nurtured in the state, one that not only empowers artists but contributes to a larger creative economy.Filmmaker Dominic Sangma said through this initiative, the Govt of Meghalaya aims to build an “ecosystem of creativity, collaboration, and diversity”. Launched on July 11, 2024, ‘Hello Meghalaya’ is the state-owned OTT platform dedicated to celebrating the region’s vibrant culture, stories, and talent.
