Film industry renews calls for Govt. support for quicker revival

• Urges to increase cinema occupancy levels to at least 50%

 By Charumini de Silva

The film industry has become the latest sector struggling towards recovery post-COVID, calling on authorities for support in maintaining business and increasing occupancy levels to at least 50%, so as to encourage more people to patronise theatres.

They claim that, despite repeated pleas, the Government has turned a deaf to the industry.

“We have sent a delegation to the Cultural Affairs Ministry, National Film Corporation (NFC) and Health Ministry to allow us to increase occupancy levels to at least 50%, whilst agreeing on a monthly review. However, the plea of the industry is still unheard,” they charged.

The industry called on the Government and NFC to look after the stakeholders of the industry in this hour of need.

“Cinemas were the last to resume business, but understanding the situation, we all waited patiently to resume business. But now, it has been almost a year and the industry’s still not operating as it used to. It is important that the regulator takes steps to safeguard the stakeholders’ interests and consult them in help maintain the industry.

“If the rationale behind the restrictions is to minimise people gathering, then how is that the restaurants are allowed to operate at 100% capacity? The film industry has been ignored completely in the recovery post-COVID. There has to be some way that we can allow cinemas to continue business, or else the industry will be unable to account for its overheads and collapse,” the disgruntled stakeholders added.

They also said, that although there is content to show at present, suppliers were hesitant to distribute films due to the current limitations in occupancy.

“Indian cinemas are back in action with full capacity and there are new movies that have been released – with many more to be released. However, suppliers are hesitant to distribute here as there is no significant audience to patronise theatres.”

Stakeholders also highlighted that local (Sinhala) film producers were not ready to release their movies either, given the capacity restrictions.

“In addition to the movies that we screen regularly, millions and billions of rupees have been invested into making theatres that host the latest technologies and facilities. At this juncture, there are hardly any customers at our cinemas, and it is daunting.”

The film industry had thrived in recent years, with significant new entrants into the market. However, the pandemic has crippled the industry. “We are struggling to continue with our businesses.”