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Tag: Films Division

  • Parle-G reminisces about India’s journey on 73rd Republic Day

    Parle-G reminisces about India’s journey on 73rd Republic Day

    Mumbai: Reminiscing the yesteryears of India’s redefining moments, food company Parle Products celebrates the spirit of a sovereign India in its Republic Day film. Tracing the journey of its flagship brand Parle-G, the film depicts the journey of the homegrown brand as the country evolved from penning the history with its independence movement to the present era of new normal, over a span of seven decades.

    Voicing the narrative is veteran thespian Piyush Mishra, whose earthy tone adds a whole new dimension to the film. To create this special film, Parle Products sourced various footage through different sources ranging from Getty to the Films Division and took special permissions from Getty and Films divisions. “The film has been released on digital platforms and garnered over 12 million views across all platforms already,” said the company.

    Conceptualised by creative agency Please See in partnership with Reliance Entertainment, the film uses archival footage of major milestones and glorious moments to talk about the freedom movement in the 1930s, 1971 war, India’s first World Cup win in the 1980s, iconic Bollywood characters ‘Raj and Simran’ to the successful space mission and then India’s successful creation of Covid-19 vaccines.

    All of these are interspersed with a perfect amalgamation of Parle-G from its launch in the 1930’s (Parle Gluco) to the pack version of today, which has been present at different intervals of history with the message ‘years changed, but we stayed the same,’ depicting its unchanged taste and popularity.

    “Just as Parle Products stands for a swadeshi brand, our brand Parle-G is often referred to as ‘Desh Ka Apna Biscuit.’ We feel extremely proud and fortunate to be a part of India’s journey from pre-Independence time to the present day,” said Parle Products senior category head Mayank Shah. “The film carries a degree of nostalgia as important events from the past play out in front of viewers. Just as the country crossed milestones over the years, so did Parle Products and gradually Parle-G has retained itself as the go-to product when one thinks of a biscuit.”

    “In circulation for 79 years, we have kept the taste intact with no change in the flavor of the Parle-G ever since it was first sold in 1939. Parle shall continue to remain an integral part of the nation and with the coming years we hope to be a part of many such achievements – furthering our course with the country,” he further said.

  • Cabinet approves merger of four film units with NFDC

    Cabinet approves merger of four film units with NFDC

    NEW DELHI: The government has given its nod to the merger of four of its film media units with the national film development corporation (NFDC).

    The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday. As part of the plan, the four units namely films division, directorate of film festivals, national film archives of India, and children’s film society, India will now operate under the NFDC, which will then carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.

    While this will lead to rationalisation of infrastructure and manpower, the government highlighted that interests of employees of all the concerned media units will be fully taken care of and no employees will be retrenched. A transaction advisor and legal advisor will be appointed to advise on the transfer of assets and employees, and to oversee all aspects of operationalisation of the merger.

    “There was a lot of duplication in activities and there was a need to bring synergy. However, all the work which is currently underway at each of the units will remain in progress. Our aim is to ensure good films reach masses,” said Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar post the meeting.

    India is one of the largest film producers in the world with an industry led by the private sector. Over 3,000 films are produced every year. After the merger, all promotion, production and preservation of film content will come under one management.

    The films division, a subordinate office of the ministry of information and broadcasting, is among the oldest of the four media units. It was formed in 1948 to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.

    Formed in 1964, the national film archives is mainly responsible for acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage, and the directorate of film festivals, set up in 1973, focuses on promoting Indian films and cultural exchange. The children’s film society, India is however, an autonomous organisation formed under the Societies Act in 1955 to specifically provide children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.

    All the four media units will now operate as one unit under the NFDC – the central public sector undertaking  which was formed in 1975 for planning and promoting an organised, efficient and integrated development of the Indian film industry. “The vision of the new entity will be to ensure balanced and focused development of Indian cinema in all its genres – feature films, including films/content for the OTT platforms, children's content, animation, short films and documentaries,” stated the government.

  • National Cine Museum only if it attracts aficionados: House panel

    NEW DELHI: Noting that the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai is expected to be completed by July this year, a Parliament Committee wants the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to get a response and feedback of the industry as to how far it is successful in attracting film fraternity and also those interested in films, through exhibitions, workshops, seminars and interactive sessions.

    The Museum has been built in the premises of the Films Division complex on C D Deshmukh (Peddar) Road.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to MIB noted that an amount of Rs 286.9 million had been allocated under the Scheme of the Museum which was increased to Rs 343.9 million at revised estimate stage but the Ministry incurred an expenditure of Rs 286.9 million.

    The Committee was informed that the project is near completion and the Ministry was hopeful of utilizing the balance funds during the current financial year 2016-17.

    The budget for the year 2017-18 under the Scheme has been reduced as the construction work has already been completed and curation is underway.

    A historical building Gulshan Mahal has been renovated in the first phase as part of the National Museum project and the second phase of the Museum consisting of two Cinema Halls, Museum office, Exhibition spaces and Food Court are coming up in the new building block.

    When operational, the NMIC will provide a store house of information and help film makers, film students, enthusiasts and critics to know and evaluate the development of cinema as the medium of artistic expression.

    Also Read :

    Avoid ‘slippages’ of film sector budget utilisation, House panel recommends

    DD invites short films on Govt schemes, ‘DAVP producers’ preferred
     

  • Films Division shorts in cinema halls: Centre mulling revival

    Films Division shorts in cinema halls: Centre mulling revival

    NEW DELHI: All cinema halls may soon have to screen the news features produced by the Films Division, sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said.

    As a first step, the Government had earlier this year waived the 1% rental charged by Films Division in lieu of supplying public services awareness films including news features to facilitate exhibition of such films in the cinema halls of the country.

    These sources told indiantelevision.com that provisions have been kept in the proposed amendments to the Cinematograph Act 1952 to empower the Central Government to issue directions so that such films may get adequate opportunity of being exhibited.

    Meanwhile, Films Division sources told indiantelevision.com that a beginning had already been made and almost all the PVR theatres were showing shorts that went on for just around three to four minutes. However, the aim to revive the practice prevalent around two decades earlier was to show a news feature by the Division before the main feature film commences.

    At one stage, some private filmmakers had gone to court saying that there was no reason for only Films Division films being shown. As a result, cinema halls had stopped screening of the Division films. However, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled over a decade earlier that theatres should show films of relevance to society irrespective of who has made it. But, cinema halls have been reluctant to show these films.

    As a result, the Films Division appealed to the ministry to take decisive steps to ensure that the films – like those on the Swachhta Campaign or other ongoing programmes of the government should be shown. It is learnt that cinema owners have said that they will generally not accept films that are more than three minutes long, and therefore the Centre may step in to make this mandatory.

  • Films Division shorts in cinema halls: Centre mulling revival

    Films Division shorts in cinema halls: Centre mulling revival

    NEW DELHI: All cinema halls may soon have to screen the news features produced by the Films Division, sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said.

    As a first step, the Government had earlier this year waived the 1% rental charged by Films Division in lieu of supplying public services awareness films including news features to facilitate exhibition of such films in the cinema halls of the country.

    These sources told indiantelevision.com that provisions have been kept in the proposed amendments to the Cinematograph Act 1952 to empower the Central Government to issue directions so that such films may get adequate opportunity of being exhibited.

    Meanwhile, Films Division sources told indiantelevision.com that a beginning had already been made and almost all the PVR theatres were showing shorts that went on for just around three to four minutes. However, the aim to revive the practice prevalent around two decades earlier was to show a news feature by the Division before the main feature film commences.

    At one stage, some private filmmakers had gone to court saying that there was no reason for only Films Division films being shown. As a result, cinema halls had stopped screening of the Division films. However, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled over a decade earlier that theatres should show films of relevance to society irrespective of who has made it. But, cinema halls have been reluctant to show these films.

    As a result, the Films Division appealed to the ministry to take decisive steps to ensure that the films – like those on the Swachhta Campaign or other ongoing programmes of the government should be shown. It is learnt that cinema owners have said that they will generally not accept films that are more than three minutes long, and therefore the Centre may step in to make this mandatory.

  • Special site on Independence Day 2016 developed by PIB launched by Naidu

    Special site on Independence Day 2016 developed by PIB launched by Naidu

    NEW DELHI: A special webpage has been developed by Press Information Bureau on Independence Day 2016 as a platform to showcase all the events related to the Festival being celebrated throughout the country.

    The webpage that can be accessed from PIB’s home page pib.nic.in is designed was launched here today by Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

    The webpage showcases hundreds of archival photographs, audio and video clips, write-ups and features on leaders and events related to the freedom struggle. The webpage will host live webcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech from the Red Fort and will also host other speeches delivered by the Prime Minister at events related to these celebrations.

    The Prime Minister’s Speech at the launch of the festival at Bhabra in Madhya Pradesh and photographs of the function at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai led by Naidu yesterday will also be available on the webpage.

    The Social Media section of the Webpage will show live feeds from Twitter and Facebook. The Tweets from the PIB twitter handle having the hashtags #70YearsOfIndependenceand #Aazadi70Saal and Facebook posts on the

    PIB’s Home Page will be updated on the webpage in real-time.

    Several organizations have contributed to the rich content being showcased on the webpage. These include All India Radio, Doordarshan, Photo Division, Films Division, Directorate of Public Relations of Ministry of Defence and Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.

  • Special site on Independence Day 2016 developed by PIB launched by Naidu

    Special site on Independence Day 2016 developed by PIB launched by Naidu

    NEW DELHI: A special webpage has been developed by Press Information Bureau on Independence Day 2016 as a platform to showcase all the events related to the Festival being celebrated throughout the country.

    The webpage that can be accessed from PIB’s home page pib.nic.in is designed was launched here today by Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

    The webpage showcases hundreds of archival photographs, audio and video clips, write-ups and features on leaders and events related to the freedom struggle. The webpage will host live webcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech from the Red Fort and will also host other speeches delivered by the Prime Minister at events related to these celebrations.

    The Prime Minister’s Speech at the launch of the festival at Bhabra in Madhya Pradesh and photographs of the function at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai led by Naidu yesterday will also be available on the webpage.

    The Social Media section of the Webpage will show live feeds from Twitter and Facebook. The Tweets from the PIB twitter handle having the hashtags #70YearsOfIndependenceand #Aazadi70Saal and Facebook posts on the

    PIB’s Home Page will be updated on the webpage in real-time.

    Several organizations have contributed to the rich content being showcased on the webpage. These include All India Radio, Doordarshan, Photo Division, Films Division, Directorate of Public Relations of Ministry of Defence and Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.

  • Films Division complex can become a hub for Indian cinema: Mukesh Sharma

    Films Division complex can become a hub for Indian cinema: Mukesh Sharma

    NEW DELHI: Actor Jackie Shroff – the brand ambassador of the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, short and animation films – could not have a better 59th birthday.

    After attending an Animation Workshop and between eating pieces of cake, Jackie gushed: “You know, I spent my birthday today attending a class in animation filmmaking by Italian filmmaker Luca Rafaelli and India’s Dhwani Desai.”

    Shroff was addressing a mid-fest press meet yesterday with Festival Director Mukesh Sharma who had surprised him with a birthday cake. The Press Information Bureau which put up the Media Centre also gave him a separate cake.

    Speaking at the press meet, Sharma said that he was convinced that the festival could do with several changes but he would consider these after the Festival was over. “There is always scope for improvement,” he added.

    Sharma said there were several impediments but he and his team overcame these one by one. He said with the Museum of Indian Cinema getting ready by the next MIFF, the Films Division complex could become a very good hub of cinema.

    The simultaneous screenings of national films as part of the MIFF Zone in nineteen cities had been very encouraging. He would also explore starting the weekly FD Zone in Delhi.

    He said in answer to a question that Prasar Bharati had assured him about considering the suggestion for a separate documentary

    Shroff  said the Festival had been a learning for him. Animation was very close to his heart and he had seen several good films at the Festival. He wanted filmmakers to work towards oneness.

    He also felt MIFF should be an annual Festival and not come every two years.

  • Films Division complex can become a hub for Indian cinema: Mukesh Sharma

    Films Division complex can become a hub for Indian cinema: Mukesh Sharma

    NEW DELHI: Actor Jackie Shroff – the brand ambassador of the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, short and animation films – could not have a better 59th birthday.

    After attending an Animation Workshop and between eating pieces of cake, Jackie gushed: “You know, I spent my birthday today attending a class in animation filmmaking by Italian filmmaker Luca Rafaelli and India’s Dhwani Desai.”

    Shroff was addressing a mid-fest press meet yesterday with Festival Director Mukesh Sharma who had surprised him with a birthday cake. The Press Information Bureau which put up the Media Centre also gave him a separate cake.

    Speaking at the press meet, Sharma said that he was convinced that the festival could do with several changes but he would consider these after the Festival was over. “There is always scope for improvement,” he added.

    Sharma said there were several impediments but he and his team overcame these one by one. He said with the Museum of Indian Cinema getting ready by the next MIFF, the Films Division complex could become a very good hub of cinema.

    The simultaneous screenings of national films as part of the MIFF Zone in nineteen cities had been very encouraging. He would also explore starting the weekly FD Zone in Delhi.

    He said in answer to a question that Prasar Bharati had assured him about considering the suggestion for a separate documentary

    Shroff  said the Festival had been a learning for him. Animation was very close to his heart and he had seen several good films at the Festival. He wanted filmmakers to work towards oneness.

    He also felt MIFF should be an annual Festival and not come every two years.

  • Centre considering dedicated documentary TV channel: Rathore

    Centre considering dedicated documentary TV channel: Rathore

    MUMBAI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said his Ministry was seriously contemplating a dedicated channel for documentary, short and animation films.

     

    However, he said it was difficult to say at this stage whether it would be a new channel or an existing channel like Doordarshan’s DD Bharati.

     

    Speaking at the inauguration of the 14th edition of Mumbai International Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films – MIFF 2016 – which was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Rathore said that documentaries more than features ‘shake us’ and bring about changes in society.

     

    At the same time, he said that the Films Division, which runs the festival needs to innovate and re-invent itself if it had to remain in the public eye and ‘find a reason to exist.’ Rathore cited that the MIFF was part of that process as it gave new vitality to documentary, short and feature films, which get a strong platform here.

     

    He was particularly satisfied that the Division had taken the bold step of FD Zone, whereby documentary films are being shown in other cities at the same time as MIFF.

     

    Rathore said that the I&B Ministry would continue to make efforts to make things easier for makers of documentary, short and animation films. “The mushrooming of so many news and current affairs channels can be probed to help exhibit these films.

    Documentary filmmakers are strong storytellers who move audiences with their films. Digital technology has ushered in a new era in film making and is greatly contributing to the documentary film movement,” he said.

     

    “It is heartening to note that our film makers, despite having great financial hurdles have gone ahead and made excellent films, displaying a mature approach while dealing with social and economic issues. Such films should not remain unseen,” Rathore added.

     

    He also said that the Government was in favour of ensuring that the power and freedom of the filmmaker was not limited by archaic certification laws and referred to setting up of the Shyam Benegal Committee to examine the entire certification process.

     

    Benegal was a Guest of Honour at the inauguration, which also included MIFF brand ambassador Jackie Shroff, Indian Documentary Producers Association president Mike Pandey and Festival director Mukesh Sharma.

     

    Veteran wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Naresh Bedi, who along with his brother Rajesh has been making films for over 45 years, received the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to documentary filmmaking. Filmmaker Kiran Shantaram, who is son of the late V Shantaram, presented the award comprising a trophy, shawl and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. 

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said that he had offered land to the central government in the Film City in Mumbai for building the long-pending Centre of Excellence in Animation and Gaming. “The state will extend all help in this process,” he said.

     

    Earlier, Benegal said it was sad that while such a prestigious festival was being held, no serious thought was being given to exhibiting and distributing these films. “Ways need to be found to ensure that filmmakers who dabble in the documentary format get their money back to be able to make more films as many are not even able to pay back the loans they took for such films. This is imperative at a time when digital cameras and even cellphones can be used to make films,” he said.

     

    A total of 385 documentaries, short and animation films will be screened during the Festival, which is held every second year in Mumbai. The Festival concludes on 3 February.

     

    The event, organised by the Films Division of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry is supported by the Maharashtra Government.