New Delhi: The Children's Film Society of
India (CFSI) would now start charging marginally for its film
shows in Metros which had earlier been free to generate funds
for reaching out to kids in rural areas.
"The Information and Broadcasting ministry has approved a
proposal by the CFSI after which there would be a ticket for
the children's film shows held in Metro cities," CFSI CEO
Sushovan Banerjee told PTI.
However, even these would be priced at around 30 per cent
of the cost of General film tickets, Banerjee said.
Officials said till 2007 the CFSI used to sell tickets
for its film shows but the policy was changed and all
screenings were made completely free.
However, with sponsorships continuing to be difficult to
obtain and the high cost of booking multiplexes and publicity
costs forced CFSI to do a rethink, officials said.
The additional funds generated would not only help the
Children's films body to organise better film festivals but
also to reach out to children in the rural areas, officials
said.
CFSI was created in 1955 as an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen the
children's film movement within India and promoting children's
films produced in the country across the globe.
It has a catalogue of 250 films in 10 different languages
at present and as per CFSI's own figures it reaches out to
approximately four million children annually through its film
screening.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 09, 2012, 20:06