Shillong, Meghalaya – In a strategic move to boost its creative economy and tourism sector, the northeastern state of Meghalaya has launched the ambitious Meghalaya Film and Tourism Policy 2025. The policy aims to position the state as a global filmmaking destination, leveraging its breathtaking landscapes, living root bridges, cascading waterfalls, misty hills, and vibrant tribal cultures.
Under the new policy, the state government is offering substantial financial incentives to attract both domestic and international productions. Filmmakers can avail reimbursement of up to ₹1 crore or 25% of the total production cost (whichever is lower) for the first ten eligible feature films shot largely within the state. International projects stand to gain even higher support, with potential incentives reaching up to ₹1.5 crore in select cases.
Additional grants are available for productions that actively involve local talent, crew, musicians, and cast, or those that opt to release on the state’s dedicated OTT platform, Hello Meghalaya. To ensure maximum benefit to the region, eligibility criteria typically require a significant portion of the filming — often 75% or more — to take place in Meghalaya. The state has introduced a single-window clearance system through the Invest Meghalaya portal to simplify approvals and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
The policy is part of Meghalaya’s broader Vision 2032 roadmap, which seeks to harness the creative industries for employment generation, cultural promotion, and economic growth. Beyond financial incentives, the government is planning long-term infrastructure development, including a proposed film city and a dedicated film institute. Meghalaya is also actively marketing itself on the global stage, with promotions at prestigious events such as the Cannes Film Festival.
The state has already hosted the inaugural edition of the Shillong International Film Festival in March 2026, further cementing its growing reputation in the cinematic world.
One of the first major projects to benefit from the policy is the feature film Baa Baa Black Sheep, which wrapped up extensive shooting in the picturesque Sohra (Cherrapunji) region in late 2025. The film’s production highlighted the state’s unique natural beauty and demonstrated the practical implementation of the new incentives.
With its pristine biodiversity, dramatic monsoons, and distinctive living root bridges recognized by UNESCO, Meghalaya offers a fresh and visually compelling alternative to traditional Indian film locations. Industry experts believe the policy could open new opportunities for filmmakers seeking authentic, offbeat destinations while providing a significant boost to local tourism and livelihoods.
As Northeast India continues to gain attention from both Bollywood and global cinema, Meghalaya’s proactive steps could well establish it as the region’s premier filmmaking hub in the coming years.
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