Shillong August 02: Local film makers in the state under the banner of Meghalaya Film Makers Association (MeFILMA) on Tuesday unanimously decided to attend the Indian Panorama Film festival on condition that the state government will live up their promise to introduce a draft report of the proposed Draft Film Policy Bill on the last day of the festival.
The meeting called by the MeFILMA to discuss their participation in the festival was attended by artist, producers and directors from both Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Speaking to reporters, MeFILMA president Commander Siangpliang said, “We have unanimously decided to attend the film festival on the assurance from the government that they will introduce a draft report of the film policy on the last day of the festival and we stress that the draft should be handed to us in ‘black and white’.”
He however said that the film makers have also decided to protest during the festival if the state government fails to hand them the draft report on the last day of the festival.
“After the government hands us the draft report of the bill then we will have to go through the report and later give our suggestions and opinions on things which needs to be included in the bill,” he said.
He informed that on 29 July, the Director of Information and Public Relation (IPR) H M Shiangpliang in a meeting with them had revealed that the state government is planning to introduce the draft film policy and he had also assured us that the government will bring the draft report on the last day of the festival.
“We are also encourage to see that this year the festival will also have work shop on direction and cinematography which will greatly benefit the film makers of the state,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the Indian Panorama Film festival organised by the Information and Public Relation and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from 4-6 August at the U Soso Tham Auditorium.
“Soon after we receive the draft bill as promised by the state government we will hold a panel discussion in which experts from different fields will also be invited to discuss and give suggestion on what are the things needed to include in the bill to further help the local film makers in the state,” he said.
