FILM DISTRIBUTION CRISIS AND NEW CHALLENGES

Circuits which invested on new cinemas should take this as a cue and ensure future dealings are risk-free

After weeks or months of ramatic ding-dongbattles involving film distribution in Sri Lanka, the task of film distribution was once again passed on to the private film circuits, following the Appeal Court enjoining order last week.

The dwindling local film industry which was expecting some hope of enhancement with the discussions initiated by subject Minister Sajith Premadasa and other key stakeholders in the industry during the past couple of months, suddenly took an unexpected plunge with regard to the distribution crisis after the NFC acted to take full control of the task.

However the latest enjoining order has been issued effective until the final determination of the ongoing case. This means the private circuits have some breathing space to streamline their distribution process while bringing some discipline to the tasks carried out by film importers.

Film insiders know how things work with importers especially with regard to Tamil films and other big Hollywood films. Everyone should get a level playing field to engage in their businesses.

This court ruling will indeed come as a sigh of relief for private circuits some who had pumped in money for upcoming Sinhala film productions and new screens. Now they can work out a module to recover the monies.

The NFC apparently owes film circuits millions of rupees which are pending from February this year. Efforts must be taken to settle all outstandings whether it is from the NFC to circuits, circuits to circuits or cinema halls to circuits. ignoring this area might not augur well for the development of our cinema industry.

Film circuits which had invested large amounts to build new cinemas and provide assistance to local film producers, should take this as a cue and ensure that future dealings in such areas are risk-free.

Overall an average filmgoer will not be bothered to take note whether a film is being released by the NFC or any other film circuit. They will patronise cinemas only if good creations are given to them.

So all stakeholders should join hands to fulfil this objective, at a time when we are recovering from a bad patch.