The Hello Meghalaya Conclave held in Shillong was a vibrant celebration of the state’s cultural community, organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. Highlighting the achievements of Hello Meghalaya, the state’s indigenous OTT platform, the event showcased its role in creating opportunities for filmmakers, artists, and content creators.
Since its launch on July 11, 2024, the platform has seen remarkable success, with over 3.14 lakh app downloads, 2 lakh registrations, 281K views, 7.33K content downloads, and 5.05K content shares within just five months. Popular content on the platform includes Ka Daw, Thong Iong Nga, Ehrang, Ka Chithi, and Papa, with regions like Thadlaskein, Laskein, and Mawlai leading in viewership. The platform also boasts a growing social media presence, achieving 9,000 YouTube subscribers, 5,000 Instagram followers, and 4,000 Facebook followers within six months.
The conclave featured a video presentation on the journey of Hello Meghalaya, and the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, launched the Guidelines of Film Grant Booklet to promote film production in local languages. To support filmmakers, the Government of Meghalaya introduced a corpus fund with four categories: Category A offers up to ₹35 lakhs for feature films; Category B, ₹25 lakhs for feature films; Category C, ₹20 lakhs per episode for web series (minimum 10 episodes, each 30-40 minutes); and Category D, ₹5 lakhs for short films by emerging filmmakers. The first three selected filmmakers received ₹35 lakhs each as financial assistance to create original content reflecting the state’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and local languages.
The event also included an award ceremony honoring storytellers in categories such as films, web series, and documentaries, emphasizing the value of diverse narratives. Winners in each category were awarded ₹25,000, and five contributors to the app’s success were recognized with ₹10,000 each. The conclave underscored Meghalaya’s commitment to fostering creative talent and preserving its rich cultural legacy.
