After a storming session to discuss on exhibition and distribution scenario of Documentary and short films, it is resolved to join hands of all concerns and take initiatives to thrash all the disputed issues and re-instinct the exhibition of documentary films in theater as of yesteryears. It was a outcome of the day long seminar on “State of Exhibition and Distribution of Documentaries in India” organized by Films Division as a part of ongoing 10th Mumbai International Film Festival of Documentary, Short & Animation Films in Mumbai.

Mr. Kuldeep Sinha, in his opening address, put light on the films Division’s role to promote the documentary Film movement and also the glorious history of the Films Division. He strongly advocated the important role played by the Films Division in educating masses, creating awareness for social responsibilities and extending trustworthy information for the welfare of Indian citizen. In its glorious past, Films Division has given many award winning documentaries on various topics. The system of screening documentary in cinema hall was stopped for wants of long awaited directives by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the legal battle created by cine exhibitors.

Mr. R.V.Vidhani, President of the Cinema Owners & Exhibitors Association aggressively preferred to draw attention about plight of Cinema Owners and exhibitors. According to him, they have various tax burdens and losing commercial propositions due to which most of the theater owners are compelled to close their theaters and prefer to look for other business alternatives. He criticized contents and quality of the documentary films and meaningless irrelevant news reel, as a bore-stuff. He was more worried about increasing percentage of flop films and decreasing profit ratio. Further he suggested that Films Division and Producer should go for alternate solutions like opening of new television channel of their own to show their documentaries. Mr. Arjit Dutta, a representative of Bengal Industry supported the voice of Mr Vidhani and pointed importance of time-value with profitable-commercial viabilities than social responsibilities in current business era. All their statements were strongly condemned by Mr. Jagdish Bannerjee and Rajendra Joshi along with all the participants. Apart from enjoying tax holidays for five years, even Multiplexes are escaping from their social responsibilities and neglecting Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment, just to save time and electric power to run more shows and earn more profits. After long debate, house agreed to step ahead with positive direction to resolve the issue if the quality and content of the film is improved to new standards and more social relevance. Mr. R.V.Vidhani finally assured audience that he will make his colleague agree to show such films to balance the risky commercial stuff with creative documentaries to set & experiment new revenue model.

Mr. Gnani Sankaran from South film Industry shared his unique experiment & initiative to promote short films with Public Private Partnership.

In other sessions, other opportunities like pitching sessions and it’s status in India was also discussed and debated. Ms. Rada Sesic from Netherlands educated the audience with a demonstration film about the pitching sessions and its methodology. It was strongly criticized by Mr. Ali Kazmi, Josie Josef and others for the over-interference by commissioning editors of various television channels. Noted film maker Mr. Aanand Patwardhan along with Vidyarthi Chatterjee and Tom Waugh shared their experience about the attitudes of the markets to fix the making of documentaries. No body was happy with functioning of television channels in the context of social responsibilities and professional ethics.

In concluding session, Mr. Sinha condemned allegations of exhibitors and stressed values of documentary films as a meaningful socio-educational tool than that of a just entertaining stuff. Mr. Jahnu Barua, while moderating, put the ball in the court of Films Division and suggested Mr. Sinha to take a lead to move in the direction of bringing together all fractious groups and individuals among the Documentary and Short Film movement on a common platform and thrash out all issues collectively within a time frame. Mr. Sinha and Mr. Vidhani both happily agreed and shook hands to step ahead and meet again within a month to shape up new era of documentary movement.
Rajendra