The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Permanent venue for film festival planned

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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Permanent venue for film festival planned

Special Correspondent

Government to look into proposals submitted by Adoor Gopalakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government is working on a proposal to create a permanent facility for holding the annual International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), Culture Minister M.A. Baby told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Responding to a calling attention motion from P.C. Vishnunath (Congress), the Minister said the government had asked film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan to give his views on the issue and he had submitted the same.

The government would decide on the matter after discussions on the proposals submitted by Mr. Gopalakrishnan. The government was also working on a proposal to set up an international film institute and a video archive of Malayalam films.

One film a week

The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy had a DVD collection of 3,000 films. A scheme for screening one film every week would become operational by August, the Minister said.

Multiplexes

He said the government would also look into the member’s suggestion that sanction must be given to private agencies to construct multiplexes in the State with a five-year tax holiday.

The government could think of entering into agreements with multiplex owners for setting apart one of the cinemas for screening quality films.

The proposal would have to be discussed with the Revenue, Tourism and Finance Ministers before a decision could be taken, he added.

Mr. Baby also promised to look into Mr. Vishnunath’s plea for a hike in the subsidy of Rs.4 lakh being paid to Malayalam films made entirely in the State using the infrastructural facilities and equipment of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).

The government was in favour of enhancing the subsidy amount, but could do only after considering the availability of funds, the Minister said.

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