Introduction to Cinema

Unit 7

Unit 7

Film Based Organisations

Structure: 7.1 Introduction Objectives 7.2 National Film Archive of India 7.3 Films Division 7.4 Central Board of Film Certification 7.5 Film and Television Institute of India 7.6 Other Film-based Organizations Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Directorate of Film Festivals International Film Festival of India Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short and animation Public Service Broadcasting Trust 7.7 Summary 7.8 Terminal Questions 7.9 Answers

7.1 Introduction
In India, film making enjoys the patronage and encouragement of the Government. Apart from having a ministry of Information and broadcasting, various organisations have been set up to take care of the various needs and challenges that the Indian film world encounters. While some organisations like the Censor Board ensures quality and decency, the film archives, films division etc., have been set up to strive for a healthy film culture in the country, ensuring the production, distribution and archiving of good films. This unit will introduce you to various film based organizations in India. Objectives: After studying this unit, you should be able to: list various film based organisations in India explain the activities of film based organizations assess the role of film based organisations.

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7.2 National Film Archive of India

The objective of National Film Archive of India is to safeguard the heritage of Indian Cinema for posterity and act as a centre for dissemination of a healthy film culture in the country. Promotion of film scholarship and research on various aspects of cinema also form part of its Charter. Film archives also aims to familiarise foreign audiences with Indian Cinema and to make it more visible across the globe. The National Film Archive of India was established in February, 1964 as a media unit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. With Headquarters at Pune, NFAI has at present three Regional Offices viz., Bangalore, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram. Since 1969, the NFAI has been a member of FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) and has played an active role in the work of this organization. Film Library The NFAI is counted among the leading film archives of the world. In its early years, it successfully faced the extremely difficult task of salvaging what had survived of the foundations of Indian cinema. Today, it continues to carry on this work and also acquire as well as preserve recent and contemporary productions. The National Film Archive of India is assigned with the task of acquiring National and State Award winning films, Indian Panorama films, Box-office hits and films shown in international film festivals. Film adaptations of famous literary works, films representing different genres of Indian Cinema, news-reels, documentaries representing the categories mentioned above also find their way to the Archive. Selected foreign films representing national cultures, different genres and landmark works of major filmmakers from different countries are also acquired and used for archival and research purposes. Film collection Amongst the treasures of the NFAI's film collection are the surviving fragments of the films of D. G. Phalke and Baburao Painter and the silent films of Himansu Rai and Franz Osten. Equally important are the archive's holdings of the great independent banners, which emerged after the
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collapse of the studio system in the late 1940s, such as those created by Mehboob Khan, Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, A.R. Kardar, L. V. Prasad and B. Nagi Reddi. Alongside examples of the mainstream cinema, excellent prints of major works of the authors of new Indian cinema such as Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyam Benegal, Mani Kaul, G. Aravindan, Kumar Shahani, Girish Kasaravalli, Mira Nair and others are also preserved by the Archive. Film preservation

Fig. 7.1: NFAI film collection

In the beginning, the NFAI film collection was stored in improvised film vaults in the premises of the Film & TV Institute of India. Now NFAI has its own film vaults designed according to international film preservation standards. The films are stored in a controlled environment with temperature of about 15o C and relative humidity of 50%. Printing and duplication work is done in different laboratories in Pune, Bombay and other centres. NFAI is planning to have its own restoration laboratory for specialized work on shrunk and decomposed material and to ensure superior quality control. The major thrust of work in this section is to take care of the film material by periodic checking. This helps to identify the decaying material, which needs immediate attention. Library

Fig. 7.2: Film Library Sikkim Manipal University Page No.: 99

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The well-stocked library (Fig 7.2) of books and periodicals on cinema and related arts is virtually the only of its kind in the country. It holds about 25,000 books on cinema published across the globe. The library gets more than 100 periodicals on Cinema published in different Indian languages apart from a sizeable number of foreign journals and periodicals. More than 25,000 film scripts received from the Central Board of Film Certification are also stocked here. These form a valuable part of the Archive's collection as many of the films are now untraceable. Censor records going back to the 1920s and bound volumes of Indian film magazines from the 1930s onwards are among the other important materials available for reference and study. Research and documentation section The NFAI has a very large collection of materials relating to every period of Indian cinema. Films are made in many languages at various centres in India, and considering the large number of films produced in the country, the task of acquiring and documenting this material is voluminous. Wall posters

Fig. 7.3: Cinema Wall Posters

The Wallposters have been an integral part of the Indian Cinema. It is one of the visual media for promoting a film. The wallposter usually depicts the content of the film it represents. Hence, acquisition and preservation of the Wallposter as a part of the nation's cultural heritage is another important activity of the NFAI. The archives have more than 16,000 film posters of various sizes.

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Song booklets

Fig. 7.4: Film Song Booklets

The Song Booklet is another medium used by the film industry to promote cinema in India. Indian films are full of songs, hence the Song Booklet becomes a noteworthy document for collection. It is the only source where one can find the full lyric of any song. The Song Booklet also contains the full cast and credits of a particular film. This booklet also has illustrations on its front and back covers and also contains a brief storyline. The Film archives have a collection of more than 11,000 song books of various films from various languages. Photographs

Fig. 7.5: Photographs of actors and shots

As a part of its documentation activity, the NFAI collects stills, photographs, lobby cards, etc., for permanent preservation and archival use. The collection has more than 1,30,014 still photographs. Prints of all unique photographs have been made so that they are available to researchers, authors etc. Distribution Library As a part of its activities under dissemination of film culture, NFAI extends distribution library facilities to the members throughout the country. The Distribution Library caters to the special screenings of films from the NFAI
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collection. NFAI conducts Joint Screening Programmes at Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Jamshedpur and Pune. Long and short term courses in Film Appreciation are conducted regularly in collaboration with FTII and other educational institutions and cultural organizations. NFAI has been a major source of films for the International festivals held in India as well as abroad. Special Screenings and festivals Special screenings and festivals are held in the NFAI and in collaboration with film societies, cultural organizations and educational institutions. Sometimes screenings are organized to commemorate national and historical events, to pay tributes to eminent film personalities, etc. The Distribution Library dispatches films by Railway, Surface Courier and also by Air throughout the country. It is also responsible to send films abroad with a view to familiarize Indian cinema in foreign countries. A number of important classics like Bicycle Thieves, Pather Panchali, documentaries like Nanook of the North, feature in the Distribution Library list of NFAI. Research and film studies The NFAI encourages and promotes research and academic activities on every aspect of cinema especially in the area of Indian film history. Researchers and students from India and abroad have access to the film and video collection, documentation section and the library. The archive also actively promotes research by assigning monographs on eminent Indian filmmakers and pioneering film personalities; research fellowships on themes related to Indian cinema; and Audio-visual History Project recordings of senior artists and technicians. Self Assessment Questions 1. Treasures of the NFAI's film collection are the surviving fragments of the films of ____________ and _____________. 2. In the archives, the films are stored in a controlled environment with temperature of about ________ and relative humidity of _________.

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7.3 Films Division

Fig. 7.6: The working of the Films Division in India

The Films Division of India is the main film-medium organization of the Government of India. It was established in 1948 and is well equipped with trained personnel, cameras, recording and editing facilities. This infrastructure is put to use to assist in-house as well as free-lance film makers and producers. The Films Division of India has within its archives, a recorded legacy of our past. It holds 8000 titles on Documentaries, Short Films and Animation Films in its archives. These films range from events of Socio-cultural importance to Political events. The main activities of the Films Division are as follows: Production of documentaries and news magazines. Video films for different Departments / Ministries / Public Sectors of the Govt. of India. Films on Agriculture, Defence and Family Welfare. Holding of Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for documentary, short and animation films once in two years. The Films Division produces documentaries, newsmagazines from its headquarters in Mumbai, features from Bangalore and Calcutta, and films on agriculture, defence and family welfare are produced from its unit at Delhi. Films are produced through in-house as well as free lancing filmmakers. Documentaries produced by Films Division are on a wide range of themes and topics that encompass different spheres of human activity and endeavour. Films produced are released in cinema houses throughout the country through the theatrical circuit of the Films division. Prints of the films are also
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distributed to the units of the Directorate of Field Publicity, mobile units of State Governments, National Television (Doordarshan), Field Units of the Department of Family Welfare, educational institutions and voluntary organisations. Educational institutions and social organisations all over the country borrow films of Films Division from its branch office libraries maintained all over India. Copy of the films is sold to interested people, public and private institutions at nominal cost. Film prints, stock shots, video cassettes and distribution rights of documentaries and features are also sold in India and abroad. Some of the films produced by private agencies are purchased by Films Division. Production facilities Films Division has experienced and trained technical and non-technical persons for filmmaking, right from script writing to the distribution. It is well equipped with movie cameras, video cameras, sound recording and video equipment. It has recently opened on-line video editing facilities with the latest and best available equipment in the world. These resources (including video editing) are available to outsiders also, on rental basis. For free - lance filmmakers necessary assistance in the shape of advances, etc. is provided. Free-lancing film makers can also make films on fee basis, using Films Divisions facilities. Self Assessment Questions 3. The Mumbai International Film Festival is held by ___________. 4. Production of documentaries and news magazines are the main function of __________.

7.4 Central Board of Film Certification

The Central Board of Film Certification (popularly known as the Censor Board) is the regulatory body and censorship board of India. It reviews, rates and censors movies, television shows, television ads, and promotional materials. The Censor board is controlled by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is illegal and a punishable offence to exhibit any visual material without the certification from the Censor board. The Board gives four categories of certificates.
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The rating system of Films is as follows: U: Unrestricted Public Exhibition: This rating is given to films suitable for 'family viewing. It should not disturb even the youngest of children. A movie with 'U' rating contains no or mild violence and sensuality. U/A: Unrestricted Public Exhibition but with parental guidance for children below 12 years. This rating is given to a movie, which contains mild violence, language and sensuality. The movie may contain some material that is unsuitable for children under 12. A: Adults: 'A' Films are meant for Adult audience above 18 years only. This rating is given to a movie, which contains heavy dose of violence, sexuality, frightening images and language. S: Specialized Audience: This rating is given very rarely and signifies that the film is meant for specialised audience such as Doctors. No rating: Several films do not receive a rating, indicating they are disallowed from public screening. These certificates are issued through the Regional Offices of the Board located at Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Cuttack, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram. Appeal against the decision of the Board lies with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. The CBFC does not have any enforcement agency or manpower directly under its control. It depends on the local police force for enforcement of laws.

Fig. 7.7: Film Certification

There are many criticisms about the purpose and style of functioning of Censor Board. One of it is about the lack of power to implement the decisions. Various forms of violations often go unchecked because there are no checks and no complaints from either the law enforcement agencies or members of the public.
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The CBFC has been criticised several times for taking a lenient view in allowing explicit scenes of violence and vulgarity while censoring films. On the other hand, the CBFC has also been criticized for decades for being heavy-handed in unnecessarily censoring content. Some argue that the CBFC and the Indian rating system are redundant and constitute a form of moral censorship. Another complaint is about the Film Rating system of CBFC, categorising films into 'U', 'UA', 'A', 'S'. Except for the letters such as 'A', 'U' etc., there is no audience-friendly system of film ratings in the form of 'icons' of different colors indicating different age groups, unlike many other countries. Self Assessment Questions 5. _____ rating is given to a movie, which contains a heavy dose of violence, sexuality, frightening images and obscene language.

6. The Censor Board gives _________ categories of certification.

7.5 Film and Television Institute of India

Fig. 7.8: FTII

Film and Television Institute of India was established in 1960 at Pune for training in film making and television programme production. Today the FTII is considered as a Center of Excellence not only in India but also in Asia and Europe. Films made by the students of the Institute are entered in festivals both in India and abroad. Many of them have won National and International awards.
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The alumni of the FTII have penetrated all corners of the Indian Film and Television industry and have excelled in all its fields. Mani Kaul, Nasiruddin Shah, Adoor Gopal Krishnan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Subhash Ghai and Rasool Pukkutty are all alumnies of this Institute. The FTII is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India. Its policies are determined by a Governing Council. The latter appoints the director of the institute. FTII offers Post Graduate courses in Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Sond Recording and sound design, Acting, Art direction, Animation and Screenplay. The institute also offers short term courses. FTII has been conducting inservice training in TV Production and Technical Operations for Doordarshan staff since 1974. Film appreciation course for film lovers is another one. Self Assessment Questions 7. The FTII is an autonomous body under ___________. 8. Subhash Ghai is the alumini of FTII. (True/False)

7.6 Other Film-based Organizations

As you will have gauged by now, film based organizations play a pivotal role in Indian cinema. Let us explore a few more for better understanding and comprehension: 7.6.1 Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute The Government of India established Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in 1995 as an autonomous academic institution under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Located at Kolkata and named after the legendary film maestro Satyajit Ray, the Institute, the second of its kind in the country, is a National Centre offering post-graduate diploma courses in Film and Television. Besides offering regular full time courses, the Institute has plans to undertake project development, funding and production of fiction and non-fiction films. In addition, research work on film and television related issues are in the offing. 7.6.2 Directorate of Film Festivals The Directorate of Film Festivals organizes International and National film festivals within the country. It also facilitates Indias participation in festivals
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abroad, arranges programs of foreign films in India and Indian films abroad and holds the National Film Awards function. The organization was set up by the Government of India in 1973. As a vehicle of cultural exchange, DFF promotes international friendship, provides access to new trends in world cinema, generates healthy competition and, in the process, helps to improve the standards of Indian films. On an average, the DFF sends films to 50 festivals each year round the globe along with representation at major festivals such as Venice, Berlin, Cannes, Montreal, Karlovy Vary, Vancouver, Sydney and Moscow. The entries are chosen from the Indian Panorama section, which features the best Indian films of the year. For certain major festivals, the government also sponsors the visit of the director of a film from the Indian panorama, provided the film has been entered in the competition section of the festival. Special Programmes Special programmes are organized from time to time as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and other countries. Among the most successful examples of such activities are the Festivals of India, which have taken place in several countries under a reciprocal arrangement. Films usually form an important component of these activities and DFF has been responsible for organizing special packages of films subtitled in the language of the country concerned. These large packages of films have ranged in size from 25 to over 100 films at a time. Reciprocally, DFF arranges screenings, in different cities of the country, of similar foreign packages of films sent to India. Indian films have been shown in UK, France, USA, Japan, USSR and Switzerland, as part of the Festivals of India in these countries. 7.6.3 International Film Festival of India The International Film Festival is organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Government of Goa, and the Indian Film Industry. It is Indias oldest and most prestigious film festival with total prize money of US $ 1, 40,000. Films from Asia, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America compete in the festival conducted every year in December.

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7.6.4 Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films The Mumbai festival is organised by the films division exclusively for documentaries, short films and animation films. It is held in Mumbai once in every 2 years. Mumbai festival is considered as one of the important festivals for short films and documentaries conducted in Asian continent. 7.6.5 Public Service Broadcasting Trust PSBT is a non- government initiative, which stands for a democratisation of the broadcasting arena. The trust aims to create and sustain an independent and participatory space in non-print media, distancing itself from commercial, state and political imperatives. It also stands for good taste and values. Since its formation in 2000, PSBT has produced hundreds of documentaries that were well received by the viewers and film festival circuits. PSBT funded documentaries has made their presence felt for quality, in-depth insights and novelty in topics. Prasar Bharathi Corporation, Doordarshan and UNESCO are key partners of PSBT in its endeavour. Self Assessment Questions 9. What is the role of PSBT? 10. DFF stands for _____________.

7.7 Summary
In this unit, you got an overview of various film based organisations, mostly functioning under the Government of India. The forward march of the visual medium in India is very much indebted to these organisations. While the Films division produces and distributes short films, documentaries and animation films, the National film archive is in-charge of safeguarding the heritage of Indian Cinema for posterity, and acts as a centre for dissemination of a healthy film culture in the country. The Central Board of Film Certification reviews, rates and censors movies, television shows, television ads, and promotional materials. The aim is again promoting good taste and values. Various film institutes give state-of-art training in film making. The Directorate of film festivals organizes International and National

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film festivals within the country and abroad. At this point you are invited to recall all the points we discussed thus far.

7.8 Terminal Questions

1. How do film archives safeguard the Indian Cinema Heritage? 2. Critically evaluate the role of the Censor board.

7.9 Answers
Self 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Assessment Questions D.G. Phalke and Baburao Painter 15o C and relative humidity of 50%. Films Division Films Division A rating Four categories The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India 8. True 9. PSBT is a non-government initiative which stands for a democratisation of the broadcasting arena. 10. Directorate of Film Festivals

Terminal Questions 1. Hints: Film collection Film library Film preservation Documentation Exhibiting films Research Facility. 2. Hints: "U" for unrestricted public exhibition "A" for public exhibition restricted to adults only "UA" for unrestricted public exhibition with parental guidance for children below the age of 12 "S" for exhibition to restricted audience such as doctors lack of power to implement- unnecessary use of censorship crude way of certification.

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