Meghalaya: Garo Director and Filmmaker Dominic Sangma Excluded From Cannes 2023

TURA: Dominic Sangma, an internationally acclaimed Garo director and one of the most prominent filmmakers from Meghalaya, was reportedly excluded from representing Meghalaya at the Cannes Film Festival.

The reason for his being ‘dropped’ from the list of attendees at the last moment is not clear but the report has caused consternation in the film society and the region as a whole. Dominic had earlier attended Cannes Film Festival in 2019.

Following the incident, Society of A’chik Film & Entertainment (SAFE) in Tura, Meghalaya said that it was disappointed over the exclusion of Dominic Sangma, from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2023.

SAFE has also shot off a letter to the Director of Information & Public Relations in this regard.

In the letter, it was stated that Dominic Sangma being excluded from the Cannes is a great loss for the Garo community and the film industry in Meghalaya.

Having brought awards, laurels, and fame to the state in the international cinema scene, Dominic’s exclusion from this prestigious event is a great loss for the Garo community and the State film industry, the letter added. “Mr Sangma has years of experience as a filmmaker and has made significant contributions to the cinema industry”, the SAFE’s letter added.

Through his artistry, Dominic has brought about attention to Garo Hills and Meghalaya as a whole, read the letter, expressing disappointment that deserving filmmaker was left out while other states give deserving candidates the opportunity to represent their community and showcase their work at such prestigious events.

The DIPR Director was urged to take immediate and necessary action, with the proviso that such ‘mistakes’ should not be repeated in future.

Dominic Sangma, a graduate of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and a prominent filmmaker, is known for his first film called Ma-Ama in 2018.

Before starting his own production company called Anna Films, he reportedly also worked for National Film and Development Corporation Ltd.

In 2010, his short film, ‘Karyukai Inc’ was included for screening in international film festivals like Munich, Kosovo and Venice.

In 2014, his short film ‘Rong-kuchak’ bagged the National Award for ‘Best Student Film’ and was screened at various national and international film festivals. Ma-ama became the first Garo film to win multiple film festival awards at the international level, including the 65th National Award.

His latest movie ‘Rapture’ made it to the coveted Cannes film festival under the La Fabrique section.

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