The government is working to make the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and the country’s film industry completely self-reliant, reducing their dependency on the government, said State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat.

The state minister told this while addressing a discussion at the FDC in Tejgaon area of the capital on Wednesday afternoon, marking the National Film Day.

He said no industry should depend on subsidy because the subsidy-enjoying industry always depends on the government. The government wants to create an environment, so that the FDC and the film industry can be self reliant, he said.

Actor Ferdous Ahmed, MP, spoke at the function as the special guest with FDC Managing Director Nuzhat Yeasmin in the chair.

Arafat said there is no stronger media than cinema to to portray a country in the global arena.
“If we want to present our country with dignity before the world through cinema, we have to produce quality films,” he said.

Noting that there is the necessity to create a favorable environment to make quality films, he said that he will try his level best to create such an environment.

Referring to Prime Minister’s instruction over the development of the country’s film industry, the state minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already given some instructions regarding films. She directed for establishing Cineplex at the district level, which will be able to be self reliant.

Arafat said, “We have to establish our dominance in film industry in South Asia and try to go beyond it”.

Noted playwright M Hamid presented the keynote paper in the discussion while film director Dr Matin Rahman and Editors Guild President Abu Musa Debu spoke, among others.

Earlier, the state minister inaugurated the National Film Day programme on the FDC premises.