Govt taking practical steps for revival of film industry: state minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the government is taking practical steps for the revival of the film industry.

Announcing the Pakistan Film Policy, the state minister said that film production has been given status of an industry, and now young and promising filmmakers will be able to get loan from banks to make films.

She said that a ‘Film Finance Fund’ worth five billion rupees has been set up which will be used to produce films to promote a tolerant image of the country. She said that a film directorate is also being established to facilitate film production,

She further said that duty on import of film equipment and sales tax on films have been exempted. She added that only Pakistani films will be allowed for exhibition on national festivals.

The state minister said that 70 percent rebate will be given to foreign filmmakers as travel and food insurance if they shoot Pakistani sights in their films. She also announced that Pakistani films will be exhibited in upcoming Beijing and Shanghai film festivals.

Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera said the promotion of Pakistani culture is the top priority of the government, and the announcement of film and cultural policy is big step towards promotion and revival of cinema and all types of arts in the country.

Earlier, the concluding ceremony of three-day National Artists Convention and CPEC Cultural Caravan Festival was held at Pakistan National Council of Arts.

The event was aimed at bringing together the artist community at one platform, and was attended by several artists from different genres including film, theatre, music, drama and fine arts.

CPEC Cultural Caravan Festival was the second part of the festival aimed at bringing closer the artist communities of Pakistan and China.

The CPEC festival showcased the works of a caravan of Chinese and Pakistani artists who travelled from Xian in China to Gwadar documenting the cultural heritage along the length and breadth of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The CPEC festival promoted creative economy by focusing on potential bilateral trade and cooperation in culture and creative industries. There were also colourful regional performances depicting folk heritage of Pakistan and short films and documentaries.