Higher Education Minister Dr R Bindu Switches on KSFDC’s Film Under Women Directors’ Project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Marking the commencement of yet another movie produced by Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) on behalf the state government under its ‘Films Directed by Women’ project, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice Dr R Binduswitched on the film Inheritance on International Women’s Day on Tuesday.

Minister for Culture Saji Cheriyan and Transport Minister Antony Raju attended the function held on the sidelines of the programme organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs as part of the government’s cultural and educational initiative for women empowerment, ‘Samam’,at Tagore Theatre here.

Actor and danseuse Lakshmi Gopalaswamy clicked the clapboard for the film, directed by Indu V R.

Inheritance, Indu’s first film,was selected for production by KSFDC in 2020-21 financial year under the‘Films Directed by Women’ project, an initiative for the empowerment of women by giving wings to their creative talents.

KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun; Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith; Cultural Affairs Principal Secretary Rani George, and KSFDC MD N Maya, were also present.

Launched in 2019-20, the first movie produced under ‘Films Directed by Women’ project was Tara Ramanujan-directed Nishiddho, which got selection to many film festival circuits in the country and abroad. The second film that went on the floors in the same year under this project was Divorce, helmed by Mini IG. This film is ready to hit the cinemas soon.

Another film under this project, titled B 32 Muthal 44 Vare, will start rolling in a few days.

Shaji N Karun said besides giving confidence to female directors, the project will help build a creative space for aspiring women filmmakers. The directors making films through this project will inspire more women to be part of the film field, he added.

N Maya said the government launched the project after realising the hurdles being faced by women to get an entry into the industry.

“The presence of women behind the camera, especially as directors is still very thin. This project will enhance the presence of women in the film field,” she said.

Maya added that KSFDC will be producing four films a year—two by female directors and another two by directors from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) communities.

In a major project to support directors from less privileged sections, KSFDC has also launched a project to support film directors belonging to the SC/ST category in 2020-21. The filming for two movies — Ariku, directed by VS Sanoj and Pirathi by Arun J Mohan, selected under this project will commence soon.

Established in 1975, KSFDC is the first public sector corporation for film development in India.