New Odisha film policy by March 2024: Industries Secy

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is to come up with a new film policy by March 2024 by making necessary amendments to the existing Odisha State Film Policy-2019. This was informed today by Industries department Principal Secretary Hemant Sharma while briefing mediapersons.

“We had a discussion with film producers and directors as they were having issues chiefly pertaining to exhibition of films. They gave some good suggestions in this regard. The number of cinema halls is on the decline and we discussed what possible steps the government can take to increase the number. The stakeholders suggested certain improvements which are to be brought into being through the introduction of certain new elements to the existing film policy, thereby helping eliminate exhibition and distribution issues faced by the stakeholders,” Principal Secretary Sharma stated.

“Plans are afoot to incentivise to increase the number of single-screen cinema halls in rural and semi-urban areas in the State. About 40 single-screen cinema halls were closed in the last 3 to 4 years after several multiplexes came up in urban areas,” the Principal Secretary expressed.

“We are trying to simplify the existing policy and introduce new schemes with incentives to promote the production of films in Odia language, including the distribution and construction of new single-screen cinema halls. At a subsequent time, discussions will also be held with other stakeholders, prior to coming up with a new film policy,” the Principal Secretary asserted.