The Elysian Field

Director's bio

Pradip Kurbah

Pradip Kurbah is a pioneering voice in Khasi cinema and one of the key forces behind its revival. With no formal film-school background, he built his craft through experience, intuition, and an unwavering commitment to telling stories rooted deeply in the culture, language, and landscapes of Meghalaya. Inspired by his late father, Pomu Das who believed that Khasi stories deserved their rightful place on the big screen Kurbah has dedicated his life to building a cinematic identity for his community. In 1998, he directed Ka Mon Bajwat, the first Khasi commercial film, which ran for five months in Shillong theatres and marked the beginning of a new era for regional cinema. In the years that followed, he created over 150 Khasi and Jaintia music videos and several video films, establishing a strong visual culture that inspired young storytellers across the hills. His major films—Ri (2014), Onaatah (2016), and Ïewduh (2019) each won the National Award for Best Khasi Film. With Ïewduh, he became the first Indian filmmaker to receive the prestigious Kim Ji-seok Award at the Busan International Film Festival, a historic milestone for Indian and Northeast cinema. His short film Path (2022) also earned multiple international accolades. In 2025, Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field) became a landmark achievement, winning Best Film, Best Director, and the NETPAC Award at the 47th Moscow International Film Festival, along with the Best Director Award in the Indian Competition at the Kolkata International Film Festival.