Hails Govt for including Jammu in IFFJK; 12 regional films screened at Wave Mall
JAMMU, Sep 20 : The Jammu and Kashmir Cine Association (JKCA) today convened a meeting to express its appreciation to the Jammu and Kashmir Government for successfully organising the Union Territory’s first-ever International Film Festival in Kashmir, while urging that the second edition of the prestigious event be hosted in Jammu.
The meeting, held at Kalakendra Jammu, attended by members of the executive body and general membership, welcomed the successful conduct of the inaugural festival and emphasised the need for greater recognition of Jammu’s rich cinematic, cultural and artistic potential.
JKCA President Dharminder Kohli said the association was grateful to the government and Department of Information to effect immediate arrangements for including Jammu also in showcasing the films of Jammu region at Wave Mall, a concept mooted by Jammu and Kashmir Cine Association.
“ It was JKCA’s effort that 12 regional films were showcased in Jammu also besides honouring the directors , producers and other artist , technicians associated with film making in Jammu,” said president Dharminder Kohli though the International Film Festival of J&K was slated for Kashmir .
He further expressed his gratitude towards Department of Information for holding the prestigious festival adding,” I sincerely thank you for honoring Dogri cinema and its creators in Jammu and for organizing such a wonderful film festival. Your support and encouragement not only encouraged the filmmakers but also provided a new respect and platform for the Dogri language, culture, and cinematic identity of Jammu”.
On the occasion, the Association urged the government to take concrete measures to promote regional cinema by providing dedicated theatre space and adequate screening time to local filmmakers, directors and producers. It also called for the introduction of a comprehensive subsidy scheme for film production and demanded that the film sector be accorded industry status, along with appropriate financial incentives and subsidies to encourage filmmakers and strengthen the regional film industry.
The meeting also marked the induction of Baljit Singh Raina into the association and an announcement for his appointment as its Chairman. The post had remained vacant following the demise of former chairman Mushtaq Kak.
The association members discussed in detail about holding investors meet and frame a committee in this regard to broad base the activities of the association to further its commitment towards achieving better goals.
Certain members also suggested that since the association is focused on holding films festival and promoting the cinema of the region, it was also emphasized that songs and various religious albums produced and directed by many local directors should also be promoted.
Those present at the meeting included Rajesh Khajuria, Amarjit Singh, Irfan Chaudhary, Shammi Malhotra, Sandeep Rattan Verma, Sudesh Verma, Pankaj Khajuria, Maloop Singh , Veena Dogra, Lalita Tapasvi, Baljit Singh Raina and Ravinder Koul, besides other members of the association.