Enhanced government assistance needed for film industry

Manzare Hasin Murad speaks at the seminar. Photo: Mumit M.

Film industry needs enhanced patronage and more assistance from the government -- filmmakers and distinguished guests were of the view at a seminar held at Central Public Library on November 10. The seminar was held to mark the third anniversary of Moviyana Film Society (MFS). Belayet Hossain Mamun, president, MFS, read out the keynote paper at the seminar.
Presided over by noted filmmaker and president of Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies, Badal Rahman, the seminar was attended by a number of film enthusiasts.
Mamun's paper highlighted the present gloom over the Bangladeshi film industry. The industry has been in a sorry state over the years.
The paper also included a six-point demand including removal of the Film Society law, which has been active since 1980; more government patronage to the film sector; more film related activities from autonomous institutions like Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and a complete National Film Institute.
Lawmaker Obaidul Kader, who is also the president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Information Ministry, was the chief guest at the programme. He informed that at present a five-member committee is working to overcome the issues threatening the film industry.
Among others, film activists and teachers Manzare Hasin Murad and Zahidur Rahim Anjan; writer Salimullah Khan and journalist Sajjad Sharif spoke at the seminar.