In a bid to enhance transparency and uphold integrity, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced significant amendments to the policies governing the selection process for film grants. The reforms, unveiled during a recent committee meeting, aim to ensure a fair and professional evaluation of grant-in-aid films.
Under the new guidelines, the selection of films for grants will undergo multiple stages, with input from experts in the field of cinema at each step.
This marks a departure from the previous process, which relied on a single committee for decision-making. The Ministry had invited submissions for both full-length and short-length films last year, receiving a total of 253 screenplays by the September 30, 2023 deadline. Of these, 195 were for full-length films, while 58 were for short-length films.
Moving forward, the scripts will be reviewed by a primary selection committee, marking the beginning of the revamped evaluation process. Previously, a list of 204 films would be shortlisted after primary selection, but now, this process will be subject to change.
A recent meeting held in the ministry's conference room convened members of the selection committee tasked with evaluating full-length film grant applications for the fiscal year 2023-24. During the discussion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Mohammad Ali Arafat emphasized the importance of transparency and professionalism in the allocation of government grants for film production. Minister Arafat outlined that grant applicants will now be required to present their ideas, vision, plans, and budget to the selection committee members. These presentations will inform the committee's recommendations for a more concise list of films to be reviewed by the ministry. Additionally, applicants will undergo interviews to discuss their previous experience and filmmaking intentions.
The reforms signify a concerted effort by the government to streamline the process of awarding film grants, ensuring that deserving filmmakers receive support while upholding standards of integrity and accountability.