National Film Body To Launch An OTT Platform To Support Young Filmmakers: MIB

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) is planning to come up with its own over-the-top (OTT) platform, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) secretary Apurva Chandra said on Wednesday.

“Through NFDC we need to finance projects and give support to young filmmakers who don’t have access to funds otherwise. We also hope to come up with NFDC’s own OTT as a platform to showcase those films that don’t get space in the market so that young talent gets a chance to showcase its talent,” Chandra said while speaking at the 23rd edition of FICCI FRAMES in Mumbai.

The government will soon launch a programme under which film enthusiasts and common citizens can fund the digitisation and restoration of their favourite films. He added that the government is targeting digitisation and restoration of more than five thousand feature films and short films.

While the cabinet has recently approved the revamp of the Cinematograph Act so that strict action can be taken against piracy, the Act is likely to be introduced in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Chandra said that it will give direct powers to the government to take action against websites showing pirated films.

Amid talks over OTT platforms using ‘foul language’, Chadra said the ministry is looking at ‘a soft touch approach’ on the issue of regulating content, and would want the OTT industry to adopt self-regulation, news agency PTI reported.

Last month, Chandra said that the government’s ‘soft-touch’ regulatory approach towards the OTT streaming space has led to some content that is ‘not desirable’ and asked the OTT players to be cognisant of the concerns and culture of the country while producing content.

Actor Salman Khan, too, had expressed his displeasure towards the ‘vulgarity on these platforms’ and requested filmmakers to avoid the use of foul language in their content.

Meanwhile, the government is exploring ways to introduce AVGC in school curriculum so that students are exposed to this growing and exciting sector at an early age, thanks to the high potential of the animation and gaming sector, Chandra said.

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