Film producer elections in the offing

Local movies are films running successfuly home and abroad, but the producers are not returns on their investment. And when the film is not successful, it is naturally even bleaker. Discouraged by their returns on billion taka projects, the producers simply close shop and decide not to invest again. Many of the producers and the distributors blame the Bangladesh Film Producers Distributers Association as it has not held any election over the last seven years.

Finally an election is to be held on 27 July with 43 candidates participating. A total of 140 voters will elect 19 persons.

The aspirants aim to solve issues including collection of dues of the producers from theatres, setting up more than 500 film complexes across the country, introducing e-tickets and so on.

Several aspirants said they wanted to delimit piracy, ensure proper distribution of ticket sale money among distributors and hall owners as well as improving the environment of the theatres.

Also, the aspirants called for a proper production policy for funded movies and distribution of local films at local and international theatres.

The amount received from the sale of tickets is spent for the maintenance, AC charges and municipality VAT of the theatres. The rest is shared among the hall-owners and producers. But the producers have to bear other expenses including projector rent, banners, posters, booking agents' commission and so on, according to producers.

Kamal Kibria Lipu, candidate for the producers’ association election, said new investors must be encouraged in the film sector.

"Our main target is to serve the film sector’s interests," producer Khorshed Alam Khasru said. "The government has already taken several steps to set up cineplexes across the country and our job will be to ensure top priority in implementation."

Technical standards and making good films are essential, said another producer, MN Ispahani.