Kerala State Film Policy recommends recognition of cinema as an industry

The Kerala State Film Policy, approved by the State Cabinet last week, recommends recognition of cinema as an industry and puts forward several steps to ensure gender justice as well as for the sustained growth of the industry, artistically and economically.

The formulation of a film policy was one of the recommendations of the Justice K. Hema Committee.

Representation of women

As part of measures to ensure gender equality, all committees should have 30% representation for women, says a film policy recommendation. Film promotion events, stage shows and film awards functions will be brought under the definition of a workplace related to the film industry. All film production units should have an Internal Committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

The government will formulate a ‘Model Employment Contract’ which stipulates the working hours, overtime minimum wages, maternity leave and the basic facilities required at shooting locations, with every film producer required to mandatorily adhere to it. All those who are employed in the industry, including junior artistes and drivers, are to be registered in a centralised online system so that they can be included in various social security measures. Grievance redressal mechanisms will be put in place to address sexual harassment at workplace and labour issues.

The policy recommends recognition of Malayalam cinema as an industry. The government should form a film development fund for various promotional and welfare activities for the industry. With the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) as a nodal financing agency, aid can be provided to producers to avail loans at lower interest rates from banks and other financial institutions. New sources of funds such as a virtual capital fund with private partnership and crowdsourcing to promote the making of socially relevant cinema can be tapped.

Reforms are suggested in the subsidy structure for films. In the general subsidy scheme, 20% can be set aside for women filmmakers who satisfy norms, 10% for children’s films and 10% for transgender-differently-abled categories. The government will consider doing away with entertainment tax on film tickets after discussions with the local self government department and the GST council to avoid the issue of double taxation raised by film organisations. Reduction in power tariffs for theatres will also be considered. A centralised e-ticketing platform will be set up with smart cards similar to digital wallets for cinema theatres.

The policy recommends the formation of a State Film Development Council headed by the Chief Minister, which will function as an apex body overseeing all the developmental activities in the sector. The government will explore the possibilities of using the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from the media and entertainment industry for the welfare activities for workers in the sector.

To address the ambiguities in distribution agreements, the government will issue a template for such agreements.

A single window system will be implemented for various clearances from government agencies for film production. Incentives will be provided for films from other languages which are shot in Kerala.

Archiving systems for Malayalam cinema will be put in place in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India. Celluloid prints of yesteryear classics will be restored. The policy recommends a monitoring committee to prevent tendencies such as fake online reviews, rating manipulation, paid review bombing and extortion over reviews.