Kerala gears up for film policy conclave with top voices from Indian and global cinema
Good cinema, good tomorrow – this is the much advertised focus of Kerala’s new film policy, which is to be drafted after a two-day conclave over the weekend of August 2-3. A number of film personalities from India and abroad will attend the event, which will be held at the Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram. Filmmaker K Madhu, the newly appointed chairperson of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), released the schedule on July 30, detailing the panel discussions that are to take place over the two days. Film personalities from Germany, the UK, Poland, and Sri Lanka are expected to attend, alongside several well-known names from Indian cinema who will also head panel discussions. Among them are Prakash Magdum, head of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC); Hindi screenwriter and filmmaker Saeed Mirza; south Indian actor and filmmaker Suhasini Maniratnam; senior actor and filmmaker Revathy; Hindi filmmaker Hansal Mehta; and many prominent figures from Malayalam cinema. Filmmakers Sibi Malayil, Kamal, Anjali Menon, Priyanandanan, TK Rajeevkumar, Don Palathara, Krishand, Chidambaram, and Indhu VS will also be part of the panels. Mohanlal is expected to attend the conclave, K Madhu said at the press meet. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event, which will commence with a panel discussion on gender and inclusivity. Minister Veena George and journalist Saraswathy Nagarajan will share a panel with Suhasini, Revathy, scriptwriter and actor Renji Panicker, editor Bina Paul, activist and actor Sheethal Shyam, and others. This is one of the most anticipated sessions at the conclave. The idea of a film policy originated in the Hema Committee report, which studied the issues faced by women in Malayalam cinema. Two other key topics of the first day are ‘Labour, Contract, and Workplace’ and ‘Legal Framework and Grievance Redressal.’ These were among the main issues highlighted in the Hema Committee report, which found that exploitation and harassment of various kinds were caused by lack of proper contracts and grievance mechanisms. The discussion on labour and contracts will be headed by filmmaker and Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan, along with filmmakers Hansal Mehta, Miriam Joseph, and others. Kerala Women’s Commission chairperson P Sathidevi will lead the second session on law and grievances, joined by filmmakers Anjali Menon, Sibi Malayil, Sudhir Mishra, advocate Mitha Sudhindran, and others. Other sessions on the first day include ‘Futuristic Technology, Skilling beyond the screen’, and ‘Theatres and e-ticketing.’ On the second day, August 3, a discussion on the ease of producing films will be led by producer G Suresh Kumar. Other panels will cover film infrastructure development, including archiving, film tourism, and film festivals and societies. Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony while Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian will present a report of the conclave on both days.
GOOD cinema, good tomorrow – this is the much-advertised focus of Kerala’s new film policy, which is to be drafted after a two-day conclave over the weekend of August 2-3. A number of film personalities from India and abroad will attend the event, which will be held at the Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram.
Filmmaker K Madhu, the newly appointed chairperson of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), released the schedule on July 30, detailing the panel discussions that are to take place over the two days.
Film personalities from Germany, the UK, Poland, and Sri Lanka are expected to attend, alongside several well-known names from Indian cinema who will also head panel discussions.
Among them are Prakash Magdum, head of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC); Hindi screenwriter and filmmaker Saeed Mirza; South Indian actor and filmmaker Suhasini Maniratnam; senior actor and filmmaker Revathy; Hindi filmmaker Hansal Mehta; and many prominent figures from Malayalam cinema.
Filmmakers Sibi Malayil, Kamal, Anjali Menon, Priyanandanan, TK Rajeevkumar, Don Palathara, Krishand, Chidambaram and Indhu VS will also be part of the panels. Mohanlal is expected to attend the conclave, K Madhu said at the press meet.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event, which will commence with a panel discussion on gender and inclusivity. Minister Veena George and journalist Saraswathy Nagarajan will share a panel with Suhasini, Revathy, scriptwriter and actor Renji Panicker, editor Bina Paul, activist and actor Sheethal Shyam, and others.
This is one of the most anticipated sessions at the conclave. The idea of a film policy originated in the Hema Committee report, which studied the issues faced by women in Malayalam cinema.
Two other key topics of the first day are ‘Labour, Contract, and Workplace’ and ‘Legal Framework and Grievance Redressal.’ These were among the main issues highlighted in the Hema Committee report, which found that exploitation and harassment of various kinds were caused by lack of proper contracts and grievance mechanisms.
The discussion on labour and contracts will be headed by filmmaker and Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan, along with filmmakers Hansal Mehta, Miriam Joseph, and others.
Kerala Women’s Commission chairperson P Sathidevi will lead the second session on law and grievances, joined by filmmakers Anjali Menon, Sibi Malayil, Sudhir Mishra, advocate Mitha Sudhindran, and others.
Other sessions on the first day include ‘Futuristic Technology, Skilling beyond the screen’, and ‘Theatres and e-ticketing.’
On the second day, August 3, a discussion on the ease of producing films will be led by producer G Suresh Kumar. Other panels will cover film infrastructure development, including archiving, film tourism, and film festivals and societies.
Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony while Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian will present a report of the conclave on both days.
