Film division to digitize 8100 movies

BANGALORE: Short documentaries on historic moments, lives of legends, agriculture and central government schemes, that were once widely produced and screened by the films division , are no longer visible. To popularise these films again, the division has now taken an initiative to digitize and catalogue 8,100 films produced by it.
Division director Amitabh Kumar said they plan to procure the films and digitize all archives by the 11th Five Year Plan.He was speaking at the inaugural function of the division's diamond jubilee celebrations on Wednesday.
Also on the cards is a 'Museum of Moving Images' in Mumbai that will showcase transition in documentary shootings and set designs , and display photographs and costumes from old films.
Chief producer of the division Kuldeep Sinha urged distributors, producers, and studio owners to give archival material for the museum. He said they plan to reach out to a larger audience through these measures. "Exhibitors and distributors are reluctant to screen documentaries as they look into the commercial aspect. Screening these films on a regular basis is a social duty and a national obligation," he said.
Film-maker M S Sathyu said the division set up in 1948 has been neglected by the Centre . "It is in a deplorable state and film reels are collecting dust," he added. In addition, shots of historic moments are missing. No one knows where they. There are no lists or software in this regard, he added.
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To celebrate its diamond jubilee, the films division launched a four-day festival at Mangala Mantapa Auditorium , NMKRV Women's College, Jayanagar
Films on Thursday
Homi Bhabha: A scientist in action
Swimmy, animation film
The lost child
Lion and rabbit
The little terrorist
Vedic mathematics
Asiad-82
Marvel of memory
Waiting
Khajuraho
Radha Krishna
Weave me a flower
Gangu Bai Hangal
Continuous journey