Meghalaya is taking significant steps to boost its creative economy and establish itself as a premier film tourism destination with the launch of the Draft Meghalaya Film Tourism & Creative Media Policy 2025. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma unveiled the draft policy at a special gathering of filmmakers, content creators, and media stakeholders, emphasizing the government's commitment to collaboration and inclusivity. The policy aims to harness the state's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the talent of its local filmmakers to attract both national and international productions.
Aligned with Meghalaya's Vision 2032, which aims to grow the state into a $16 billion economy, the Film Tourism Policy is built upon three strategic pillars. These pillars focus on promoting Meghalaya as a top film tourism destination by showcasing its unique landscapes and culture, strengthening the local film ecosystem by nurturing talent, and positioning Meghalaya as a central hub for film production in the North East region.
The draft policy offers a range of benefits and incentives to filmmakers. Financial incentives of up to Rs 1.5 crores are proposed for films in major Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi. Special grants and subsidies are also available for productions that highlight Meghalaya’s heritage, culture, and tourism. Furthermore, the policy seeks to support local content creators through training and upskilling programs, along with incentives for films premiering on Hello Meghalaya, the state’s official OTT platform. The government is also encouraging private investment to establish studios, labs, and post-production infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sangma stressed the importance of gathering feedback from the film community and the public to shape the final policy. The draft will be available on the Meghalaya One portal, and the government is inviting public input until June 20, 2025. He also expressed his keen interest in establishing a Film Institute in Meghalaya to serve as a center for film-related activities and to support local filmmakers.
In addition to unveiling the draft policy, the event included the disbursement of grants to filmmakers, the announcement of a filmmaking exchange program with Arunachal Pradesh, and the handover of Ward's Lake from the Department of Forest to the Department of Tourism. The Tourism Buddy Programme and the Hello Meghalaya Road Show, a traveling celebration of local storytelling, were also launched.
The government is proposing substantial funding support, up to 35–40 percent, for individuals looking to establish movie theatres under the CM Elevate programme, and is exploring mobile cinema models to improve access in remote areas. Lyngdoh, the Tourism Minister, emphasized inclusivity and accessibility, mentioning plans to build cinema halls in Shillong, Tura, and Jowai.
The Chief Minister encouraged young filmmakers to stay true to their stories and emotions, emphasizing the importance of honesty and human connection in cinema. The Draft Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 represents a significant step in the state’s efforts to become a prominent player in the global storytelling economy, inviting industry professionals and citizens alike to participate in shaping a vibrant future for film in Meghalaya.
