Oct 18
Set up of National Film Academy on cards
ISLAMABAD: With the objective of reviving the status of film industry in Pakistan and making quality movies, the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) was endeavoring for establishment of a National Film Academy in the federal capital.
To keep the film traditions alive in Pakistan, there was a need for educating the youth with proper training of film productions and direction, said Tauqeer Nasir, Director General PNCA.
The film makers in Pakistan were out dated in terms of new technologies, story writers, directors and creative talents, causing poor quality of movies.
Replacement of serious film makers with highly commercialized ones created crisis on the Pakistani film industry which was now fighting for its survival, he told state news agency.
The establishment of National Film Academy is a step forward in the efforts made for restoring the fading status of the films and cinema in the country.
The National Film Academy will house academic work, labs, production and the training center for theory, production, editing and camera work to be established in Islamabad while its film studio would be setup at Lahore.
Five acres of land in sector H/9, which was earlier allotted to NAFDEC for this academy during 1975, has been handed over to PNCA for establishment of National Film Academy.
In view of the necessity of the proposed academy, PNCA has prepared the feasibility and financial proposal while the project would be completed in two years after its commencement.
“Films are a source of presenting a country’s cultural image to the world and an inspiration with the level of work done”, Tauqeer Nasir said, adding “We will have to open a new chapter of providing opportunities to the creative artists and encouraging young talent”.
PNCA will collaborate with foreign organizations to encourage and promote budding amateur artists from abroad.
“This will allow locals to have a taste of different cultures and allow them to explore film-making capacities to a greater extent,” he added.
The exposure of Pakistani talents will indeed promote performing arts of Pakistan and allow local film makers to shine abroad and show the progress and forte of their land and culture around the globe, he said.
PNCA is entrusted with the role of promoting the visual and performing arts in the country. It safeguards the interest of the artist community, promotes and projects national heritage and plays a crucial role for building a positive image of Pakistan in the domestic and international arena.
