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Dedicated documentary channel in 11th Plan

MUMBAI: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi on Sunday gladdened the hearts of documentary filmmakers by announcing that a dedicated channel for short films in the Eleventh Plan was already under consideration .

Mr. Dasmunsi was speaking at the inauguration of the tenth Mumbai International film Festival (MIFF) for documentary, short and animation films here at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). Before him veteran film maker and president of the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) Jahnu Barua had spoken bitterly on “why no one gave a damn about documentary films in India.”

Mr. Barua lamented the lack of a dedicated channel to air documentaries and he said he was angry and ashamed that filmmakers had to beg for space.

He said documentaries were important public documents that must reach the people. “We deserve to be recognised and cherished for our important contribution,” Mr. Barua said.

In response, Mr, Dasmunsi said he understood the creative frustration of documentary film makers and the main question is who will watch their films.

He said he was willing to approve a proposal within seven days for a documentary film channel but the challenge is to get the funds to keep it running. He said even dedicated news channels are fitting in more entertainment components to survive. However, the Minister told documentary film makers who had gathered in the packed theatre that he would support any plans for such a channel. He also called on the private industry to come forward and help.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh inaugurated the festival and announced that the V. Shantaram award for lifetime achievement was given to Harivansh Shyam Sharma, veteran film maker.

MIFF is being organised by the Films Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the government of Maharashtra. It is expected to be attended by more than 5,000 delegates from various parts of the world.

One of the highlights of MIFF this time is a special package of films on the Second World War. It comprises rare film records of Indian troops in action in various parts of the world including Britain and Russia.

The films were lying in Shimla, the then capital of British India, and later procured by the Armed Forces Film and Photo Division, New Delhi.

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