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Film body plans 15 new cinema halls across State

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Jan 19 - The Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation (ASFFDC) is planning to support construction of fifteen new cinema halls in the State, its Chairman Jatin Bora said today.

The government has earmarked Rs 5 crore for the initiative in this financial year.

Subsidies up to Rs 50 lakh will be given for setting up new cinema halls and Rs 25 lakh for renovating old ones.

Addressing reporters, Bora said many people have come forward to avail the benefit of the scheme. �The Corporation has prepared a set of guidelines which needs to be approved by the Cabinet before being notified. We plan to set up fifteen new cinema halls initially. Moreover, the Jonaki Cinema Hall at Tezpur would be developed as a heritage hall,� Bora said.

A cinema hall is also being set up atop the ASFFDC building at Panjabari. The Rs 4-crore hall is expected to be inaugurated this year itself.

Bora also said the Corporation has decided to revive the Assam State Cinema Awards this year. �The programme will be held from May 11 to 13 along with a film festival. The awards were not given during the last three years, probably due to less number of releases. One cannot have a competition among ten-fifteen films. If there are 30-40 releases in a year, we can have a competition,� he said.

Bora also said the Corporation has requested various government departments and corporations to make documentaries, films and ads through the ASFFDC. �We are also planning to give 100 per cent subsidy to film-makers to make good films with small budgets,� he added.

The Corporation is also in the process of digitising the 135 films in possession with it in reel format. �In the first phase, we plan to digitise 50 of the films,� Bora said.

Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley said a children�s film festival would be organised in June-July.

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