New Delhi, Aug 05: Indian documentary filmmakers have threatened to boycott the eighth Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) if the new rule making it mandatory for Indian entries to submit a censor certificate is not withdrawn immediately. While it is the norm in all international film festivals to exempt films from censorship and which had been the case at the MIFF till now, the possession of a censor certificate has been imposed on Indian films suddenly this year while foreign entries are still being exempted, award-winning filmmaker Pankaj Bhutalia told reporters here today. Bhutalia is one of the 106 filmmakers who, as part of the `campaign against censorship', have written to the I&B Ministry seeking the withdrawal of the new clause. They are also scheduled to meet the joint secretary (films) at the ministry on August seven to press their demand. "We will launch a campaign against the film festival if our demand is not met, which includes boycotting the miff and holding a parallel film festival," said filmmaker Rahul Roy.
The reason being cited for the need for censorship at the festival for documentary, short and animation films, to be held early next year, is that it would allow the organisers to verify the date of completion of the film. "But why are Indian entries being singled out under this new rule?" asked Bhutalia, who has been a best film award winner at MIFF

"It appears that with elections round the corner, the government does not want to take any chances and hence wants to monitor the Indian entries," he said.

Bureau Report