GUWAHATI, Oct 27 - �It is a challenge to make a film, whether it is a feature or a documentary. The main challenge is the business. The success of a film depends upon distribution, promotion and broadcasting. So it is necessary for a filmmaker to learn the process of distribution before starting his career,� Mathew Roy, an eminent filmmaker from Canada, said today at the second edition of the Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) here.
Taking part in an open forum on the topic �Filming is Fine, What About Sales or Distribution?� the filmmaker said in India, a market for documentary films is yet to grow. So Netflix or Amazon could be alternative options for Indian documentary filmmakers.
Mumbai-based producer and distributor Shiladitya Bora, who was present as the moderator, said, �In India, there are some technical problems in the film business but there is an ever-emerging market for us. So filmmakers need to concentrate on an excellent promotional campaign to get commercial success.�
Bora also said that for a filmmaker, there are two options for distributing a film. �One is theatrical and the other is non-theatrical. We should be aware about the global market of a film. In foreign countries, there are lucrative markets for Indian filmmakers. To attract foreign distributors, we have to properly promote our films. Moreover, filmmakers should do research on the markets,� said Bora.
Shahnab Alam, another producer who was a panelist in the open forum, said, �There is a need of maturity for us to build up a good market for documentary films in India. Our main problem is that a filmmaker makes excellent effort during making of a film, but the effort declines during distribution and promotion activities.�
He also said that cinema has a global language, where a film could be understood by people in any part of the world. So to be a successful filmmaker, one should concentrate more on implementation of the cinematic language that increases the film�s reach.
Alam, one of the producers of Jahnu Barua-directed Bhoga Khirikee, which was the opening film at the GIFF, also said, �In Assam, there is a need to develop the infrastructure to release a film. Again, for overall development, the government should lend a helping hand to local filmmakers.�
Maie Rossmanlil, a film producer from Estonia who was also present as a panelist, said schools, colleges and other educational institutes could be a market for documentary films. �We can sell DVDs of documentaries to educational institutes which can be educational resources for students. On the other hand, promotion is an essential part for feature film, because a filmmaker has two aims, one is to make a movie and another is to regain the cost,� she said.
Rossmanlil said that in Estonia, the government plays a vital role in financing the film industry. Prach Ly, a film producer from Cambodia, also took part in the discussion.
