DD may have a channel for documentaries, says minister

Mumbai: The 14th edition of Mumbai International Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films (MIFF 2016) was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore here today.

Veteran film-maker Shyam Benegal was also present. Speaking on the occasion, Rathore said, "Digital technology has ushered in a new era in film making and is greatly contributing to the documentary film movement."

The Government would consider making one of the Doordarshan Channels, perhaps DD Bharati, a platform to promote documentary films, he added.

"It is heartening to note that our film makers, despite great financial hurdles, have gone ahead and made excellent films, displaying a mature approach while dealing with social and economic issues. Such films should not remain unseen," he said.

The minister asserted that the Government has no interest in curbing the creativity of film makers. Chief Minister Fadnavis in his speech announced that the state government was ready to allot land in the Film City here for a national institute of animation and short films.

MIFF brand ambassador Jackie Shroff said, "Documentary films are close to my heart, I want to make a documentary film tracing my mother's journey from Turkmenistan to India." Veteran wildlife film maker Naresh Bedi was honoured with V Shantaram Life Time Achievement Award on this occasion. It comprises a trophy, shawl and cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.

Bedi, an FTII graduate, is the first Asian to receive the prestigious Wildscreen Red Panda award. His films have been shown'on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC, etc. His film 'Cherub of the Mist' is the opening film of MIFF.