IDPA to promoting documentary films

Panaji, Nov 29 (UNI) Stating that the Indian Documentary Producers' Association (IDPA) was like a protective umbrella for documentary and short film makers in India, the IDPA today said it was promoting independent documentary and short film making in the country.

''Things are changing fast. The IDPA is looking towards achieving the goal of promoting documentary and short film makers in the country and abroad,'' IDPA president Jahnu Barua told reporters here.

Pointing out that documentary and short film makers were facing lot of problems with regard to producing and marketing films, Mr Barua said the IDPA was a platform which helped film makers in all aspects, from getting financial help to marketing the films.

IDPA vice president Ramesh Tekwani said the Association's main focus was to make the filmmakers aware of the various opportunities to screen and promote their films.

Noting that it was successful year for documentary and short film makers, he said the government had earmarked Rs 20 crore for documentary films in the five year plan, of which Rs five crore was available this year itself.

He also said the IDPA had a good database of short film and documentary film makers, which was being expanded. Mr Tekwani said IDPA had also instituted awards for excellence in the field of documentary and short films. The awards are given to the best documentary, best commercial/Ad film, best animation film, best short film and best public service film, best student film and also technical awards.

He said the IDPA would be decentralised to reach every part of the country. Though there are about 50,000 short film makers in India, only a few are members of IDPA. The IDPA membership was open to all film makers, he said and expressed the hope that more film makers would join IDPA.

Pointing out that documentary making in the country was not that organised, Mr Barua said documentary and short films were not registered. This made it difficult to know the exact number of films made in the country.

Regarding the exhibition of documentaries in theatres, he said talks were going on with the government and some concrete solution would emerge in the near future.

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