Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Bengali Film 'The Academy of Fine Arts' Release Halted Amidst Dispute
A new movie from a film school student named Joyabrata Das, called 'The Academy of Fine Arts,' was supposed to come out.
But, some people who work as professional movie technicians stopped it from being released.
They believe that because the movie had a big budget and was meant to be shown in regular movie theaters, it shouldn't be called just a 'student film.'
They think professional movie workers should have been hired.
The director says it was a project made by students for learning, so they didn't need to hire professionals.
A meeting was held with important people to try and fix this, but they haven't fully agreed yet.
The release of the Bengali film 'The Academy of Fine Arts' has been halted.
The dispute centers on whether the film is a 'student project' or an 'independent film'.
The technicians' body claims professional Tollygunge technicians were not involved.
A meeting involving state minister Aroop Biswas, the director, producer, and industry associations was held to resolve the issue.
Director Joyabrata Das insists it's a student film, while the technicians argue its budget and release plans necessitate professional involvement.
- Who
- Director Joyabrata Das, his film school colleagues, the technicians' body, and state minister Aroop Biswas.
- What
- The release of the Bengali film 'The Academy of Fine Arts' was halted due to a dispute over its classification as a 'student film' and the alleged non-involvement of professional technicians.
- When
- The release was halted on Friday, with the film made in 2021 and slated for release on November 14.
- Where
- Kolkata (implied, due to Tollygunge technicians and citywide promotions).
- Why
- The technicians' body objected to the film being released as a 'student project' without the involvement of professional technicians, given its substantial budget and commercial release intent.
Director's Claim
Technicians' Body's Concerns
Film Classification
Director's Claim
Director Joyabrata Das insists the film is a 'student project' made by film school students, thus not requiring professional technicians.
Technicians' Body's Concerns
The technicians' body argues that with significant funding and commercial release plans, it should not be classified as a student film and professional technicians should have been involved.
Involvement of Professionals
Director's Claim
The film was made by students as part of their learning, with the director maintaining it's a student film.
Technicians' Body's Concerns
The technicians' body questions the absence of professional technicians in a project with a substantial budget and commercial release intention, suggesting a mixing of 'student film' and 'independent film' definitions.
Production Details
Director's Claim
The director and his film school friends were involved in the making of the film.
Technicians' Body's Concerns
The EIMPA Chairperson noted that the censor certificate lists producers, creating ambiguity about the film's official status. The Federation President stated that if production company involvement is official, it cannot be a student/diploma film.
- Film Title
- The Academy of Fine Arts
- Director
- Joyabrata Das (SRFTI student)
- Scheduled Release Date
- November 14
- Production Year
- 2021
- Key Stakeholders Present at Meeting
- Director, Producer, SRFTI representatives, State Minister Aroop Biswas, EIMPA Chairperson Pia Sengupta, Federation President Swaroop Biswas