“The Kerala State Government aims to develop the Malayalam film industry based on talent. Financial soundness or favour from people in the industry should not be criteria for any person to enter the field of cinema”, says Saji Cherian, Kerala’s Minister for Culture.
The minister on Wednesday inaugurated the Delegate Kit Distribution program at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram. Speaking at the event, he said that the government this year will be providing financial assistance of Rs 1.5 crore each to two aspiring filmmakers from Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. “Earlier, the grant was provided to two women filmmakers and the production of the films have been completed. The films are gearing up for the release. A total of Rs. 6.5 crore has been allocated to four filmmakers for producing films,” he added.
The minister said that these opportunities would particularly be extended to newcomers including women and persons from the downtrodden communities. The minister also stated that the government will plan and expand this assistance for other technicians involved in the filmmaking business.
“As far as I have understood, one can enter to make a mark in the cinema field only if they get a favour from the people in the industry but this needs to change. Talent should be the only criteria for aspiring filmmakers and artists. And the government is taking various initiatives to develop the industry purely based on talent,” he said.
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The minister reiterated that the government and Kerala State Film Development Corporation’s (KSFDC) plan to start an OTT platform. He also said that the government is also trying to establish a total of 50 theatres in the state for distributing good films made on a small budget by budding filmmakers who usually don’t get the spotlight amidst the films of big stars.
He also said that the government is planning to initiate new plans to bring in more delegates from other states across India to the IDSFFK next year.