Film exhibitors call for fair distribution system

By Charumini de Silva

The Film Exhibitors Association of Sri Lanka yesterday called for a new system of distribution under the purview of the National Film Corporation (NFC), insisting that importers cannot override the industry rules and regulations.

Responding to the article published in the Daily FT titled ‘Film industry fears blackout over political interference’, the Association denied allegations of Ministerial interferences to the cinema trade, while clarifying it as an act of justice by the NFC. 

“The importers cannot dictate terms on distribution of films. I think the NFC has taken a fair decision, but there is absolutely no political interference. The Corporation has only done what is right to protect the stakeholders of the industry and not just one party,” Film Exhibitors Association of Sri Lanka President Buddhi Keerthisena told the Daily FT.

He said the NFC has given license to the importers to bring down films, and they cannot deprive the rights of that over the distributors and exhibitors. 

“The importers have no legal entity in the film industry. They are getting down the movies from the license given by the NFC through the national quota. It should be equally distributed among all cinemas in the country,” he added.

As most of the digital projectors are also with the importers, he said that they have been supplying the movies to those who have the latest technologies and facilities in a biased manner, discriminating against other players in the market place.

Noting that the main intention of the importers was to make money, he stressed that they have done nothing for the development of the film industry in general.

Keerthisena stressed that exhibitors have no intention of creating rifts in the industry, but a level playing field for all stakeholders engaged was a must to sustain and improve the sector.

“We are not against liberalising the market, but then there has to be a new system of distribution. We have had continuous dialogue with the NFC regarding the matter, and we are hopeful that there will be some positive response to that in the near future,” he stated.

Film Exhibitors Association of Sri Lanka Secretary Pradeep Nishantha vehemently denied that there were any anomalies in the industry. 

“The theatre owners have made record collections running films, particularly the Sinhala movie ‘Yashodara’. It is the English film importers who try to dictate terms in film distribution,” he claimed.

Nishantha said the individual theatre owners are investing in modernising most facilities with advanced technologies and upgraded viewer experiences.

Movie Works Ltd. Managing Director Anura Jasenthuliyana said that for the past one and half years, the two English film importers have not distributed any movies to the cinemas he owns, as well as to a few other players.

“I own a total of 11 cinemas and six of them have the latest technologies and facilities. However, my rights have been severely violated over the past one and half years by these two English film importers - namely Liberty Cinemas Ltd. and Skyline Entertainment Ltd., who are running a cartel. They are bringing down movies from the national quota, but there is severe discrimination in distribution of films. It is high time that we get over this one-sided system and adapt a fair system to distribute movies,” he added.

He also pointed out that the two importers were using names of the political bigwigs to dictate terms in film distribution, ignoring NFC Act guidelines.

“I think the NFC took the right decision this time without giving the approval. No one has been able to challenge them for the past one and half years. It is the duty of the corporation to protect the interests of all stakeholders of the industry,” he said.

Jasenthuliyana also noted that there is no need to depend on foreign investment for new Cineplexs as there is enough capital to build new facilities from local entrepreneurs if there is equal distribution of movies.