KATHMANDU: As many as three dozen filmmakers representing the new generation have submitted a 10-point demand to the Film Development Board to take initiative to create an environment conducive to making films competitive with the world cinema.

The producers, in a statement, have that Nepal’s film industry would pick up speed only if they could produce films with a new policy and taking the current situation into consideration, particularly amid the COVID-19.

The producers have urged the Board to make timely reforms in the policy.

The statement further said that the development of Nepali cinema was not possible without the support of the state. They have also decided to urge the government for the uplift of the Nepali cinema.

Issuing a 10-point demand, the producers said an environment be made that Nepal could sign an agreement for co-production of a movie, and bring Nepali cinema production into a one-door system.

They have also demanded that the Film Development Board should establish a research and development department for the films, provide real-time data to the Box Office system, and that the government should organize international cinema festivals with its own investment, among others.

The memorandum was signed by 34 filmmakers, including Deepak Rauniyar, Chhiring Rita Sherpa, Min Bahadur Bham, Abeeral Thapa, Ram Krishna Pokhrel, Prajwal Shamsher Jabra, Suvarna Thapa, Pravin Karki, Saroj Sharma Sapkota, Navnidhi Dahal, Jitendra Khatiwada, Govind Parajuli and others.

Handing over a memorandum to Film Development Board Chairman Dayaram Dahal, producer Ram Krishna Pokhrel said it is high time that the government should rethink to uplift the Nepali film sector in the new situation after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Receiving the memorandum, Board Chairman Dahal said he has already initiated efforts to reform the cinema industry.