Oct 23, 2017 (LBO) – A group of Sri Lankan film technicians and directors have requested the President to solve a problem created by an unscientific method of releasing and distributing films contrary to the National Film Corporation Act.
Local film artist’s alliance headed by Rohan Welivita, in a recent letter to the President has suggested a set of proposals that would lead to a solution.
“If this strategy can not be adopted in the long term due to any reason, we appeal you to adopt this on an experimental basis for at least a year to assess its effectiveness.” Welivita said.
The proposals include;
1. The 3-distribution channels that are presently being utilized in operation without any scientific-basis be activated in a formal scientifically based system.
2. List out the exhibition theatres allocated to each of the 3-circuits separately.
3. Under no reason or circumstance should the thus allocated exhibition theatre be allowed to exhibit a film allocated to another circuit.
4. The films should be released according to the date of approval received by respective film from the Public Performance Board.
5. A film thus released, must be granted exhibition in all allocated exhibition period per day for a period of 2-weeks concurrently. When and if such a legally assigned film is to be “pulled out” of an assigned exhibition theatre, all such stoppages must be based on a scientifically worked out system based on “hold-over figures” common to all films released for exhibition.
6. An agreement of release between the assigned circuit and the film producer must be signed at least 3-moths prior to the date of release. This will allow the producer at least 10-weeks for the advertising and promotion campaign for the film.
7. The release of foreign films should be activated strictly in accordance with the National Film Corporation initial Act.