Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addressing the MIFF press conference in Mumbai
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Friday said the government is committed to providing financial assistance to independent filmmakers, including Payal Kapadia, whose film “All We Imagine As Light” won the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jaju was asked about Kapadia not receiving the funds at a press conference of the 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) here.
“This is not true. The film is a joint production and there is a process of reimbursement and it may happen in due course. There is no lack of commitment for films cleared by the Film Facilitation Office,” Jaju said in response to a PTI question at a press conference.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, in a recent interview with PTI, said India has not granted Kapadia’s film the exemption it promised.
NFDC Managing Director and Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Prithul Kumar, said India is supporting Kapadia’s film.
Kumar said three of the Indians selected at Cannes this year were supported by the government.
“There is a Payal Kapadia film which is co-produced… I would be happy to announce that whatever incentive scheme has been planned, interim approval has already been given,” he said.
“There is another film which is an Indo-UK production, so the Government of India will give incentives through FFO (Film Facilitation Office), and the third film is an FTII film. So, the government is not just selecting and investing in films, but investing in the right films.”
Other winners at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which concluded on May 25, included Anasuya Sengupta, who was awarded the best actress award in the Un Certain Regard category for “Shameless”, and Chidananda S. Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” which was awarded the best film in the La Cinéfe section.
Responding to another question about the screening of Indian films at the Cannes Film Festival, Jaju said the credit should go to the filmmakers and not the government.
“We don’t want any credit (for the success of the films). The criticism against us is that we sit here and take credit. But it is because of all the filmmakers who do all this meaningful work. I understand that the process is painful and in the midst of all this a small filmmaker puts in effort, so much effort that eventually you make a product that gets acceptance worldwide.
“So, congratulations to them. All we can say is that we were supporting them in every possible way. So, their team members deserve this congratulations.” Jaju said MIFF will pay tribute to the achievements of Indian films at the Cannes Film Festival. Chidananda S. Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” will be screened on the opening day of the festival tomorrow.
“This year Mumbai International Film Festival is a kind of tribute to the good work he has done. That is why at the opening ceremony, we have brought the film that won the award last month,” he said.
The 2024 edition of MIFF will open with the screening of National Geographic’s documentary “Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story”. The film festival will be held from June 15 to 21 at the FD-NFDC Complex.
Jaju said this is the first time that a film market has been organised by MIFF to provide a platform for independent filmmakers to explore funding opportunities for their projects.
“The film bazaar and film facilitation office will be fully activated. People will know about the incentives. Many times a lot of people are not aware of the incentives, so this is an opportunity to know that these incentives are available. These incentives are not for big filmmakers, starting from Rs 1,000 crore. It is for small independent filmmakers. “Some films which are good and need support… In NFDC, we also have some funds available, we will use this opportunity to look at some products and see where we can present ourselves, finance these films, so all this is going to happen.”
Jaju said that the Government of India organises such festivals with the aim of promoting art and cinema.
He said, “Cricket and cinema are two areas that occupy our minds when it comes to entertainment. For example, this special event, apart from documentaries and short films, also holds a mirror in front of us and provides an opportunity to look at issues that are topical and socio-economic issues. As policy makers, it gives us an opportunity to look at those issues and find solutions because it is real cinema and not the fictional cinema that we all watch.”
Established in 1990, MIFF is held biennially and serves as a platform for established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their art, hone cinematic talent and promote cultural exchange.
A total of 118 films have been selected this year by three selection committees comprising eminent film experts for the International (25) and National (77) competition sections, as well as 16 films in the MIFF Prism.
There will be eight world premieres, six international premieres, 17 Asia premieres and 15 India premieres during the film festival, for which special packages have also been prepared. MIFF will also host awards, masterclasses and panel discussions with renowned filmmakers.
