Meaningful cinema to go to districts

KOLKATA: In an effort to provide a forum for nonmainstream film-makers, socially relevant cinema may soon reach the districts, courtesy the state government. This was disclosed Friday by a senior government official on the sidelines of a conference held at Nandan to mark the closing ceremony of the second International Social Communication Conference (ISCC) in the city."We intend to take the forum (ISCC) to places like Cooch Behar, Murshidabad and Behrampore in the first phase after which we will decide on the next round of screenings at other places," said Anita Agnihotri, director and CEO of RoopKala Kendro RoopKala organised the second ISCC in association with Nandan. The magnitude of the district-level forums will, however, not be as large as the one annually held in the city. Despite this, Agnihotri said that no effort will be spared to make the events a thumping success. "Our funds are limited but we will try and make the best of the resources available to us," she added. Earlier, speaking at the forum, Rome-based Gaston Roberge, executive secretary, of the Jesuits Engaged in Social Communications, suggested that the ISCC should make a sincere effort to hold a similar exercise in the north eastern states as well. In response, Agnihotri pointed out that the idea has the potential to be executed, but not in the immediate future.