SHILLONG: Miffed at the neglect shown by the Government towards promotion of the local film making industry which is fighting for its survival, the Khasi Films & Music Welfare Association (KMFWA) and the Society for Performing Arts Development (SPADE) have decided to boycott the ongoing Indian Panorama Film Festival 2014, which was inaugurated in the city on Monday.
In a meeting on Monday, the two organizations observed that even though film festivals are necessary to promote film making in the State, the Government should have paid more attention to the Khasi film industry which is struggling to sustain itself.
KFMWA president Bankhraw Sohtun lamented the lack of commitment on the part of the stakeholders to address to the problem of the State’s filmmakers especially when local films are not at all being screened in cinema halls due to exorbitant fees being charged by hall owners and the lack of co-operation from the cinema hall owners to encourage local films.
He recalled that in May 2013, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District had prohibited screening of local films in cinema halls owing to complaints from certain sections that local films are not being censored.
“There is no doubt that CBFC rating is a must, but when local films are not easily made available for screening then obtaining a censorship certificate at a high rate remains baseless,” he said, while criticizing the State Government for not initiating steps to improve the infrastructure for film making in the State.
Sohtun also pointed out that there is no State-run Film City here to address the equipment constraint that local filmmaker have, which leaves them with no option other than hiring equipment from Guwahati at high rates.
“We are of the opinion that besides organizing film festivals, the State Government should also address the issues which is hindering filmmaking in the State,” he added.
The two organisations have also decided to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma highlighting the grievances faced by the local filmmakers.