Jammu, Jul 11: ‘Return Journey” for the filmmakers who will brighten up the landscape of Kashmir with their film creation.
And, to facilitate the filmmakers to take advantage of the scenic parts of the Union Territory, Jammu, and Kashmir “Film policy” would be unveiled soon which would tap unexplored destinations and promote them globally.
Following the announcement, nearly 1800 local artists registered themselves on the official portal of the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The process was initiated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to revive the lost ground of film making in Jammu and Kashmir vis-à-vis to boost the tourism sector.
“The draft Film Policy is almost ready. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to include suggestions of top Bollywood filmmakers in the Policy to whom Mr. Sinha met in Mumbai,” said an official.
In the draft Film Policy, the Jammu and Kashmir Government is considering providing free-of-cost security to the filmmakers till the completion of their shooting in the Union Territory.
“Jammu and Kashmir ‘Film Policy’ is almost ready with a view to promoting film tourism in the Union Territory,” a senior administration official on Sunday told UNI.
He said the Policy will showcase the splendid locales of J&K besides assisting the filmmakers who intend to shoot films to scout for locations, local talent, and facilities, besides obtaining the required clearances.
“A complete database of the available local talent in J&K has been prepared to host on the website for enabling the filmmakers interested in shooting films in the UT to utilize the services of local talent,” he said.
The official asserted that the Policy lays thrust on harnessing the local talent in the field of movie-making in J&K and creation of employment opportunities for the youth in the field.
“The local artists were asked to register themselves with details by or before July 10 and we are happy that around 1800 people have registered their names on the official portal,” he revealed.
“Since every film production is the meeting place for creative artists in the field of dance, film fashion, acting, choreography, and advertisement, it will open new avenues of employment for the youth of J&K,” he said.
Besides, there is also a requirement of people adept in cinematic tools like camera, editing, sound recording, set designing, lighting, etc, said the official, adding, “the policy is ready and will soon be unveiled by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.”
Locally, around 1800 artists comprising dancers, fashion designers, actors, choreographers, cinematographers, sound recordists, set designers, and many others, applied for registration from June 25 to July 10.
He said the Film Policy will be showcasing scenic destinations to woo filmmakers of all 20 districts of the Union Territory.
“In the proposed policy, the locations and facilities for film shootings have been given the priority”, adding, “the districts of both Jammu and Kashmir province will get the emphasis on film production activities.”
“The Deputy Commissioners were asked to submit details of scenic locations including those untapped in their respective jurisdictions as the Government is committed to make Jammu and Kashmir a hub for the film industry,” he said.
Details of all unexplored and untouched destinations, religious, historical places, parks, gardens, heritage sites, monuments were described in the prescribed form to cater to the film industry, adding he said, “details about locations whether they are cities, villages or towns, routes, road conditions, distance, mode of transportation, nearest airport, railway station, and bus stand, have also been submitted to facilitate the filmmakers.”
“The concept of Google forms with full details was incorporated for the convenience of filmmakers so that they get required data online,” the official said and asserted that details about hotels and lodges (category wise) have also been furnished by the Deputy Commissioners.
“In the 1960s-70s, many tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir were the favorite shooting spots for Bollywood producers and directors and with filmmakers from parts of the country making a comeback to Jammu and Kashmir will not only absorb local talent but also promote tourism,” he said. (UNI)