Kerala govt to host Film Policy Conclave in August
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.The Kerala government has finally decided to organise the Kerala Film Policy Conclave on August 2 and 3, at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall in the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex. The Conclave seeks to formulate a comprehensive film policy, a long-pending demand of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which has sought structural reforms in the Malayalam film industry since the submission of the Justice Hema Committee report. The Kerala State Film Development Corporation has informed that the two-day conclave will bring together a wide array of voices from the Indian and international film sectors, including representatives from 17 states that have already implemented film policies. Officials from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, film industry professionals, international delegates, members of various film organisations, and experts from the fields of labour and law are expected to participate.Deliberations will be held across twelve key areas concerning the film industry, with an aim to make the policy inclusive, future-focused and industry-responsive. The government has announced its intention to release a draft of the film policy within a month after the conclave, based on the insights and recommendations that emerge from the discussions.The conclave has been a long-pending demand of the WCC, which has consistently sought structural reforms in the industry since the submission of the Justice Hema Committee report.The Committee, appointed by the state government, found that there is rampant sexual harassment and power abuse in the Malayalam film industry. Its report made wide-ranging recommendations to structure the industry and make it safer for women and other marginalised sections of people. Despite its submission, there had been a delay in convening an industry-wide forum to carry the suggestions forward—until now.Actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh’s inclusion in the 10-member film policy committee formed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation in 2023 became a major controversy which delayed the conclave that was initially scheduled for the end of 2024. The committee was set up after the Justice Hema Committee report was released. Mukesh faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from a casting director, a junior artist, and his ex-wife, and his inclusion in the committee triggered strong backlash from women’s rights groups. A joint statement from 100 prominent women demanded his removal. Mukesh was later removed from the committee, but the controversy around his presence delayed the Film Policy Conclave.The upcoming conclave is aimed at making Kerala's film industry more equitable, professional, and globally aligned. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and chaired by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian. Subscribe to TNM
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THE Kerala government will organise the Kerala Film Policy Conclave on August 2 and 3 at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall in the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex.
The Conclave seeks to formulate a comprehensive film policy, a long-pending demand of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which has sought structural reforms in the Malayalam film industry since the submission of the Justice Hema Committee report.
The Kerala State Film Development Corporation says that the two-day conclave will bring together a wide array of voices from the Indian and international film sectors, including representatives from 17 states that have already implemented film policies.
Officials from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, film industry professionals, international delegates, members of various film organisations, and experts from the fields of labour and law are expected to participate.
Deliberations will be held across twelve key areas concerning the film industry, with an aim to make the policy inclusive, future-focused and industry-responsive. The government has announced its intention to release a draft of the film policy within a month after the conclave, based on the insights and recommendations that emerge from the discussions.
The conclave has been a long-pending demand of the WCC, which has consistently sought structural reforms in the industry since the submission of the Justice Hema Committee report.
The committee, appointed by the state government, found that there is rampant sexual harassment and power abuse in the Malayalam film industry. Its report made wide-ranging recommendations to structure the industry and make it safer for women and other marginalised sections of people. Despite its submission, there had been a delay in convening an industry-wide forum to carry the suggestions forward—until now.
Actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh’s inclusion in the 10-member film policy committee formed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation in 2023 became a major controversy which delayed the conclave that was initially scheduled for the end of 2024.
The committee was set up after the Justice Hema Committee report was released. Mukesh faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from a casting director, a junior artist, and his ex-wife, and his inclusion in the committee triggered strong backlash from women’s rights groups. A joint statement from 100 prominent women demanded his removal.
Mukesh was later removed from the committee.
The upcoming conclave is aimed at making Kerala's film industry more equitable, professional and globally aligned. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and chaired by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian.
