By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Meghalaya is set to significantly expand its creative sector with plans to establish a Film City and a Film Institute in Shillong, alongside a Music Institute in Tura, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced on Sunday.
The announcement was made during the inaugural Hello Meghalaya Music Awards in Shillong, held to mark World Music Day. Addressing artists, musicians and content creators at the event, Sangma outlined the government’s vision of transforming Meghalaya into a leading destination for music, filmmaking and digital content production.
According to the chief minister, the proposed institutions are intended to create a strong ecosystem for creative professionals by providing infrastructure, training opportunities and long-term support for emerging talent. He said the government views investments in the creative economy as equally important as traditional development initiatives because they generate employment and enable young people to pursue careers aligned with their passions.
Sangma also highlighted the growing reach of the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Programme, which currently extends support to more than 7,000 artists across the state. The programme has become one of the government’s flagship initiatives aimed at nurturing local musical talent and promoting Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage.
During the event, the state government showcased the progress of Hello Meghalaya, its over-the-top (OTT) platform launched in 2024 to promote regional storytelling and locally produced content. Officials said the platform has crossed five lakh downloads and now features more than 1,000 titles, including films, music productions and other digital content.
The government further released the second edition of its grant disbursement booklet, highlighting financial assistance provided to filmmakers engaged in producing feature films, web series and short films.
Officials believe that the proposed Film City and educational institutions will strengthen the state’s creative infrastructure, attract investments, and open new avenues for artists, filmmakers and digital creators, reinforcing Meghalaya’s ambition to emerge as a major creative hub in the Northeast and beyond.