Shillong, March 02: With the “Indian Panorama Film Festival (IPFF)” set to start on Monday, Meghalaya Information & Public Relations department is doing its best to make it a success.
MIPR director H Shangpliang told reporters during a news conference on Saturday, “The preparation for the film festival is going on well and we have been able to generate over 2000 responses from the people in Facebook, which is quite a good sign.”
The festival is being organised by the State’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MI&B) through the Directorate of Film Festivals.
The four day event aims at encouraging youth and also works towards the growth of film industry in Meghalaya.
Several actors of International repute is likely to attend the event. Some actors include Karishma Kapoor, Kainaat Arora, Bruna Abdullah and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are likely to attend the four day event.
Shangpliang informed that the Directors Anjan Dutt (The Bong Connection), Veena Bakshi (The Coffin Maker) and Nishtha Jain (Gulabi Gang) will also be present for the screening of their films.
Movies from Meghalaya – Ka Lad, Meshua & Melody and Wym Hasa – will also be part of the celebration of Indian cinema, Shangpliang informed.
One of the films that will be screened is Ka Lad, by Meghalaya’s Dondor Lyngdoh and Gautam Syiem. The other films that will be screened includes 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, Assamese film Baandhan, Manipur film Leipaklei, and English movies – Ship of Theseus and Lessons in Forgetting.
Besides channelling the interests and aspirations of filmmakers in the state, a special session will be conducted during the fest to promote Meghalaya as a film destination and will see the participation of Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma as the Chief Guest who will inaugurate the session. Jain described this as a particularly important aspect of the festival and one that could have immediate benefits for the state.
The inaugural function will be held on March 3 where the Honourable Governor of Meghalaya, Dr KK Paul will attend as chief guest. A surprise screening and the closing ceremony will take place on March 6, 2014.
Shangpliang said that the department has also rope in local bands, talented singers and the recent participant of the India’s Got Talent (IGT) – Ki Umjer, Dance India Dance (DID) who will be showcasing their talents during the four-day festival which might help them find a place in the Bollywood industry or other places of excellence.(SP News)
