Shillong is getting ready for something it has never seen before. From March 25 to March 27, 2026, the city will host the first-ever Shillong International Film Festival (SIFF) at the State Convention Centre—an event that signals a new chapter for Meghalaya’s cultural and cinematic journey. More than just a festival, it feels like a moment where Shillong begins to present its stories to the world, while also inviting the world’s stories in.
The announcement came from Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, along with senior officials including Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, who recently unveiled the festival’s logo and trailer. What stands out is that SIFF is not only about screenings. It is also designed to nurture local talent, with masterclasses on screenplay writing by Dominic Sangma and cinematography by Arnab Gayan, creating space for learning alongside celebration.
Built around the theme “Beyond Borders,” the festival aims to bring together local narratives and international perspectives. From deeply rooted Khasi traditions to stories unfolding in distant countries, the lineup reflects a shared human experience that cuts across geography.
International films will play a key role in shaping that experience. Among them is the Sundance-acclaimed documentary Agent of Happiness from Bhutan, directed by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó. The film follows Amber, a “happiness agent” tasked with measuring the well-being of his country while grappling with his own sense of belonging. From Vietnam, Impermanent Residents by Huu-Tuan Nguyen tells a tense story of a young couple whose dreams of migrating to Canada unravel after a tragic accident, pushing them into a desperate situation.
Closer home, the Northeast brings its own powerful voices to the screen. Our Home by Romi Meitei tells the moving story of a boy from Manipur’s Loktak Lake who swims to school after his family loses their canoe, all while facing the threat of eviction. In Shape of Momo (Chhora Jastai), Sikkim-based director Tribeny Rai explores the struggles of women within a traditional patriarchal setting. Assamese filmmaker Maharshi Kashyap’s Kokkok Kokooook offers a surreal narrative of a migrant chicken seller whose life spirals after losing his motorcycle during a police crackdown.
Arunachal Pradesh adds its own perspectives with Ade by Theja Rio, set in 2002 and following two boys navigating a moment that draws them into the complexities of adulthood, and By the Home by Mankap Nokwoham, which traces the quiet life of a former militant now working as a security guard in Maharashtra.
At the heart of the festival, however, is Meghalaya itself. A strong lineup of local films reflects the lived realities and cultural depth of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills. Ka Jingshemphang (The Knowing) by Tyrel Reuben Lyngdoh brings together traditional healing and personal crisis. Ka Chithi by Simi Khongtiang uncovers a family’s hidden past through letters in a matrilineal setting. Roots Renewed, a documentary by K. Mark Swer and Tarun Bhartiya supported by the World Bank, captures how communities are reconnecting with land and tradition.
Other films continue to explore different layers of life in Meghalaya. Nongshun by Kamki Diengdoh and Elizer Bareh reflects on a period of unrest in Shillong and its lasting impact. The Elysian Field (Ha Lyngkha Bneng) by Pradip Kurbah imagines a future in 2047 where only a few residents remain in a village in East Khasi Hills. Ahor by Kenny Lyngdoh follows a man’s transformation as he confronts an organ trade network to protect his family. Tang Shiteng Por by Cores Marwein tells a story of gossip and its tragic consequences, while Kñi by Kiki Garod highlights the role of the maternal uncle in Khasi society. Chanchisoa (Expectation), by Elvachisa Ch. Sangma and Dipankar Das, explores a father’s internal struggle within a matrilineal system.
Adding to this is the Student Short Film Competition, which opens the door for young filmmakers to share their voices under the same “Beyond Borders” theme. As the festival approaches, Shillong is not just preparing for screenings—it is preparing to become a meeting point of stories, ideas, and perspectives. For a few days, the city will turn into a vibrant space where cinema connects people beyond boundaries, reminding everyone that while borders exist, stories have no limits.
