‘Film Policy Committee’ Formed; State Film Industry to Get New Direction

Mumbai : An important decision has been made to form a “Film Policy Committee” in response to the evolving practices in the film and entertainment sector. This initiative aims to provide new direction for the state’s film industry. Culture Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced that the committee will formulate a policy to encourage the development of film production centers and create new opportunities in technical and skill development.

The committee will be chaired by senior producer Smt. Smita Thackeray and includes producers, directors, artists, and technical experts, giving it a comprehensive outlook.

Over the years, filmmaking, broadcasting, consumption, and technological processes have undergone significant changes. Given the broad scope of the film and entertainment media, a comprehensive policy is necessary. This committee will prepare a promising policy to address these changes. The committee will meet periodically and propose measures, based on expert advice, to promote the film sector. The committee’s report will be submitted to the government shortly.

Members of the Committee:

1. Smt. Smita Thackeray – Chairperson (Senior Producer)
2. Mr. Praveen Tarde – Member (Producer, Director, Actor)
3. Mr. Mangesh Desai – Member (Producer, Artist)
4. Mr. Digambar Naik – Member (Artist)
5. Mr. Nitesh Nandgaonkar – Member (Art Director)
6. Mr. Prabhakar More – Member (Artist)
7. Smt. Savita Malpekar – Member (Artist)
8. Smt. Gargi Phule – Member (Artist)
9. Smt. Asawari Joshi – Member (Artist)
10. Mr. Shripad Joshi – Member
11. Smt. Priya Berde – Member (Artist)
12. Smt. Nishigandha Ward – Member (Artist)
13. Smt. Megha Dhade – Member (Artist)
14. Mr. Nitin Vaidya – Member (Producer, Director, Film Tester)
15. Smt. Priya Krishnaswamy – Member (Writer, Director)
16. Mr. Vishal Bharadwaj – Member (Writer, Producer, Director, Musician)
17. Mr. Ramesh Taurani – Member (Tips Industries Limited)
18. Mr. Ujwal Nirgudkar – Member (Oscar Academy Member)
19. Mr. Ashok Rane – Member (International Film Critic)
20. Director, Directorate of Cultural Affairs – Member
21. Chief Executive Officer (Cultural Coordination and Special Projects, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari) – Member
22. Joint Managing Director, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari – Member Secretary

Main Objectives of the Committee:

1. Under the skill development program, suggest starting short-term courses in areas like photography, editing, sound, production design, color, costumes, dubbing, DI, VFX, animation, etc., with the help of institutions like the Film and Television Institute of India.
2. Recognize film as not just entertainment but a form of creative economy and suggest organizing various workshops from this perspective.
3. Provide recommendations on setting up single-screen theaters in cities for hosting weekly experimental film showings.
4. Provide guidance on international co-productions to simplify film production and increase global recognition.
5. Offer guidance on how the Marathi film industry can maximize benefits from film festivals.
6. Advise on making Maharashtra and Mumbai’s Chitranagari the top film production hub in India.
7. Suggest measures to attract national and international investors to the state’s film industry.
8. Recommend ways to promote film-induced tourism within the state.
9. Propose solutions to create employment and skill development opportunities for youth in the film and entertainment sector.
10. Suggest internal measures to adapt to new technological developments like OTT platforms, web series, animation, and VFX.
11. Recommend measures to address current issues related to audio-visual media.
12. Propose a streamlined process for obtaining permits for outdoor filming in urban and rural areas.
13. Recommend the inclusion of ancillary items in the policy that will support film exhibition after production.

The committee will work on these objectives to foster growth and innovation in the film industry.