Need to encourage small films

After discussions that spread over a month and considerations of various factors, the Telangana Film Producers’ Guild, on Tuesday put forward a set of demands that they want fulfilled after the formation of the two new states.

There were discussions earlier that a new film chamber for Telangana has to be formed as opposed to the already existing AP Film Chamber of Commerce (APCC). However, the renaming of APCC to Telugu Film Chamber has received a thumbs up from this guild whose main demand was that since the APCC is located in Telangana, the president should also be from the region.

One of the few organisations that has been formed to develope Telangana cinema, the guild put forward their main need as the “re-establishment of Telugu cinema”.Small films found a key position in the list of demands with the need to encourage small films being highlighted. The guild demanded an allocation of one show every day in the theatres to them. This was followed by a demand of Rs 10 lakh as subsidy to these films. Another demand was to avoid levying of taxes on small films. Even the ensuring of satellite rights for the small films has found a place in their demands.

The guild also put forward demands for artistes and technicians belonging to Telangana region. The first being a compulsory inclusion of at least 50 per cent of technicians from Telangana in movies being made here. They also asked for health benefits and insurances for cine workers and their families.

The meeting that was attended by various association presidents of the 24 crafts as defined by the APCC – director, cinematographer, stunt director, stunt artistes, choreographer (dance director), art director, music director, editor, cine artistes, dubbing artistes, still photographer, movie writers, production executive, makeup man, costume designers, publicity designers (poster designing), audiographer (dubbing, re-recording, sound effects), outdoor lightmen, studio workers (moulders, carpenters, painters, etc), production assistants (set assistants), cinema drivers, junior artist agent, outdoor unit technicians (camera assistants, nagara, electricians, etc), production women (cleaners), junior artistes. The last demand of the guild was that all the unions should have offices in a single premises. The event was presided over by producer-director Pratani Ramakrishan Goud.