10 months ago
Indian Filmmakers Demand Fair Access for Independent Cinema
Imagine you made a really good movie, but the theater only shows it at weird times when no one can watch.
Many Indian filmmakers feel this happens to their movies because they're not big blockbusters.
So, they joined together to ask theaters to show their movies at normal times and be fair.
They also want streaming services to buy their movies even if they don't do super well in theaters first.
They want a better system for all kinds of movies, not just the big ones.
Over 40 Indian filmmakers signed a joint appeal demanding fair access to theaters for independent films.
The appeal was sparked by the limited and inconvenient showtimes given to Kanu Behl's film 'Agra'.
Filmmakers called for at least one accessible evening show for every independent film and transparent screen-allocation criteria.
They also demanded monthly or quarterly indie showcase cycles and support from cultural centers and alternative venues.
Streamers were urged not to rely solely on theatrical success while acquiring titles.
- Who
- Over 40 Indian filmmakers, including Kanu Behl, Payal Kapadia, Rima Das, Nandita Das, and Varun Grover.
- What
- Issued a joint appeal demanding fair access to theaters for independent films.
- Where
- In cinemas across India.
- When
- Following the limited showtimes given to Kanu Behl's film 'Agra'.
- Why
- To address systemic issues of limited screenings, inconvenient showtimes, and lack of transparency in screen allocation for independent films.
Independent Filmmakers
Multiplex Chains & Big Budget Films
Screening Access and Showtimes
Independent Filmmakers
Demand equitable showtimes, transparent programming, and indie film showcase cycles.
Multiplex Chains & Big Budget Films
Prioritize big-budget releases, leading to limited screenings and inconvenient showtimes for smaller films.
Key facts
- Films Affected
- Independent films across India, including 'Agra'.
- Primary Concerns
- Limited screenings, inconvenient showtimes, sudden cancellations, lack of clarity in screen allocation, priority to big-budget releases.
- Demands
- At least one accessible evening show, transparent screen-allocation criteria, monthly/quarterly indie showcase cycles, support from cultural centers, fair OTT acquisition policies.
Quotes
Payal Kapadia, Varun Grover, Anuparna Roy, Vasan Bala
Prominent Indian filmmakers
“Despite global recognition for pushing the boundaries of Indian storytelling, we are still fighting “to be seen” in our own country.”
telegraphindia.com
Kanu Behl
Director of 'Agra'
“We’re being denied shows because of the so called ‘big blockbusters’ and because small films ‘don’t fit into’ multiplex chain programming. It’s up to you the audience now! Speak up and tag the chains. Say that you want to see the film.”
telegraphindia.com
Nandita Das, Chaitanya Tamhane, Gurvinder Singh, Aamir Bashir
Filmmakers, writers, producers, and artists working across regions
“This creates a ‘closed-loop’ ecosystem where independent films are asked to ‘prove’ themselves in theatres while simultaneously being denied theatrical access... We are not demanding exceptional treatment. We are demanding fair access to the right for Indian audiences to discover Indian films.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
As Kanu Behl’s Agra struggles for screens, 46 filmmakers unite, demand fair access to theatres for indie films
Agra has 19 shows against 2400 shows of De De Pyaar De 2, Kanul Behl and 49 other filmmakers demand transparency in programming, fair OTT acquisition policies
