Doordarshan to screen documentaries at prime time for 5 years

Source: Time of India | Goa TNN

Date: 28^th November, 2012, 03.39AM IST

PANAJI: The Indian documentary film producers' association (IDPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government for an half-an-hour slot to telecast documentaries on public broadcaster Doordarshan at primetime for five years. The IDPA is also working towards getting a 10-minute slot for documentaries before films are screened in cinema halls.

"Documentaries have been a stepchild in the film movement. But now, the process is complete and films to be telecast are already with Doordarshan and they will be shown from January. We are hoping that the association will continue even after five years," IDPA head Mike Pandey said.

He said that the IDPA will get bolder now in voicing its demands to create a place for documentary filmmakers. "We will next work towards an archive to preserve old documentaries, issue of cards for structured documentary filmmakers and a 10-minute slot before screening of films in cinema halls for documentaries on the lines of the Indian new reels," Pandey said.

He said that the number of documentary filmmakers is increasing tremendously in India year after year with technology available at ones fingertips and that most of the films are on environmental issues.

He said that the IDPA is also looking at collaborating with the national film development corporation as it is not just feature films that are films.

Link: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-28/goa/35410129_1_idpa-documentaries-film-movement