Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 27 2010:
Film Forum Manipur (FFM), an apex body of film makers and other film personalities of the state has filed a case in the high court against the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) praying for the inclusion of digital/video feature films in the forthcoming National Awards and Indian Panaroma 2010 .
Informing this,W Lalitkumar, Chairman of the FFM said, Manipuri films produced in digital/video format cannot compete in the National Film Arwards (NFA) and Indian Panorama as there's no opportunity for it.
As a result though the digital/video films produced in the state serves the demand of the people, it's qualities are not encouraging as these films are yet to be entertained in National as well as the International arena, he said.
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Stating that 'Nobab' (meaning Grapefruit) become the first Manipuri digital film to compete in the Indian Panorama recently, he said but the English version of digital feature film 'For Real' was nominated for the first time International Film Festival of India 2009 in Goa.
Highlighting the case of 'Nobab',FFM Chairman in a recent petition to Secretary MIB and Directorate of film festival,MIB said,"While other non-feature and two digital feature films are allowed for entry in the NFA and Indian Panorama 2009, I'm fully confident that out digital films makers shall have equal rights of protection under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution which is enforceable in a competent forum,to avail for entry their digital feature films ensuing NFA and Indian Panorama,without transferring or releasing on a film format(celluloid)." Sixty three Manipuri digital feature films were released in 2009 alone.
But no reply came from MIB even after reminders, Lalit claimed.
However one officer on Special Duty (National Films Awards and Indian Panorama) Bhupendra Kainthola responding to a legal notice over the screening and selection of 'Nobab' and 'For Real' said, said that both the jury screening and selection go films,have been fair and non-discriminatory.
Legal advisor Advocate Ngangom Tejkumar of FFM which initiates the move to revive the sick Manipuri film industry with a different form said a case has been filed in Gauhati High Court Imphal bench under writ petition number 302 of 2010 in the interest of the low budgeting film makers of the state.
High Advocate Yumnam Nirmolchand was the two petitioners W Lalitkumar and RK Chandrakumar's counsel.
Is there any hidden for excluding the digital/video Manipuri feature films in the national competitions? Advocate Tejkumar questioned.Sharing his view,Advocate Nirmolchand also argues even though the digital/video films were entertained in non-feature film category of the NFA,why not digital/video feature films as per equal rights of protection under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.