Kolkata first to have exclusive non-feature film theatre

With tickets priced economically at Rs 30,the 200-seater Nandan-II with state-of-the-art facilities and digital sound system,will have two shows daily for documentaries and short films.

To begin with,we will give priority to filmmakers from West Bengal. But gradually,we will include films from all over the country and even outside, the official said. Filmmaker Haranath Chakraborty,a part of the state governments cultural think-tank group,said that they proposed the idea after noticing a good number of audience for documentaries and short films at the Kolkata Film Festival last year. We dont want such films to be limited to festival circuits. People in Kolkata love films,so we thought of having a permanent venue, he said.

A screening committee for selection of such films is being formed,officials said,adding that a part of the revenue earned from the film will be shared with the producers. Presently,the auditorium is used for regular shows of commercial feature films. Officials said this initiative will also give a platform to diploma films from different film schools and independent filmmakers.

Some old Bengali films and regional Indian cinema will also be screened from time to time on a commercial basis. Besides,the state government also has plans to screen childrens films and classic Bengali films on the second Sunday of each month. The news has left filmmakers in the city excited.

Supriyo Sen,who has won 32 international awards for his documentary film Wagah,said that they have always been asking for such a permanent venue. We need to inculcate the culture of watching documentary films in the country. We are making good films but are doing little to exhibit them properly, he said.