Stakeholders of the Bangladesh film industry have urged the interim government to establish a separate ministry for film affairs, proposing amendments to the existing film ministry.
These demands have been made in the National Film Conference 2025 organised by the Bangladesh Film Students' Association, held at Sir Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, Dhaka University, on Wednesday.
Apart from that, they made three proposals, including film-related initiatives and projects in the top priority projects of the government to recognise the identity of the filmmaking profession with social dignity and to amend all the laws from previous governments that hinder film production, proposals, screenings or imports and exports.
Taking part in the conference, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, adviser of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, highlighted that the film sectors still remain scattered; rather, the entire cultural industry should remain under one umbrella.
Because of the lack of unity, the ministry faces difficulties in addressing the urgent crises, he said.
"The reforms we are talking about will not happen in a day. We should draft a roadmap first and then we can establish it. If we can do that, whichever party comes to power next, will be able to embrace our demands and roadmap," he added.
However, several topics related to the film, including reform of the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, constitution of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, cinema digital distribution, e-ticketing server and box office, National Film Centre, ticket share money, expansion of film education, Gazipur Film City, opening of film import and export, formation of an anti-piracy cell and government investment were discussed during the programme.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
