Government plans coordinated initiatives to modernize cinema halls and revive film industry
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today said the government will take coordinated initiatives to develop the country's film industry, modernize cinema halls and attract audiences back to theatres,.
He made the remarks at an exchange of views with leaders of the Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had issued directives for the development of the film industry and that the government was working on various plans in line with those instructions.
He said discussions were underway with stakeholders, including producers, directors and artists' associations, while the meeting with cinema hall owners was arranged to understand their problems and demands.
Some of the demands require government policy decisions, while others could be addressed through inter-ministerial discussions, he said.
Regarding a proposal to allocate Tk 1,000 crore to support cinema halls, Yasser Khan said he would examine the matter and take necessary steps if the government decided to release the funds.
Rejecting the notion that cinema halls would become obsolete because of mobile phones and home theatres, he said watching films on the big screen alongside other audiences offered a different experience from viewing them at home or on mobile devices.
Cinema halls and cineplexes were operating successfully in many countries despite various challenges, he said, adding that the reasons behind the difficulties faced by Bangladesh's cinema halls needed to be examined.
The state minister stressed that producing quality films was essential to bring audiences back to theatres. Decisions on importing and screening foreign films should take into account the country's culture, heritage and economic interests rather than relying solely on foreign productions, he said.
While the government was sincere about allowing foreign film imports, their impact on national revenue and the public interest also needed consideration, he added.
He said the government would explore opportunities to earn revenue by screening and exporting Bangladeshi films abroad. The benefits of export earnings for the country's people and economy should also be assessed, he added.
Highlighting the declining attendance at domestic film screenings, the state minister said many cinema halls were struggling to attract viewers, with some single-screen theatres recording very low attendance despite having large seating capacities.
He called on cinema hall owners, producers and directors to work together to produce and screen quality films that meet audience preferences, saying such efforts would benefit all stakeholders.
Yasser Khan also emphasized the need to develop skilled professionals in the film industry through training for actors, actresses and directors.
He said a talent hunt programme was being launched through the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) to identify promising artists.
On the introduction of electronic ticketing, he said the FDC had already been instructed to take necessary measures. A modern ticketing system could increase government revenue and ensure greater transparency and efficiency in cinema hall operations, he said, urging hall owners to cooperate in implementing it.
The state minister said he would discuss the release of funds for cinema hall modernization with the finance minister and the governor of Bangladesh Bank. He stressed the need to ensure that financial support benefited both cineplexes and traditional cinema halls.
He urged the association's leaders to submit their demands to the ministry in writing, assuring them that the proposals would be reviewed and feasible initiatives expedited.
Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association President Awlad Hossain, General Secretary Sharfuddin Elahi Chowdhury and members of the association's executive committee were present at the meeting.
