Govt may set up film institute
National Art Gallery receives three pieces from architect Naeem Pasha. PHOTO: FILE
The government is cognizant of the power cinema holds in conveying its message to the masses and for this purpose it is exploring the possibilities of setting up a film institute and archive.
This was stated by Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Shafqat Mehmood as he launched a year-long film course offered by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
Responding to requests from different icons of the film industry for setting up an archive and a film institute, Mehmood said that they are looking into the possibilities of doing that.
We are trying our best to set up a proper academy for training film professionals, the minister said, adding that he was glad to hold the event at the Shakir Ali Museum.
In this regard, he pointed to the attempts made by the government to renovate and revive Ali’s house as a hub for artistic activity.
PNCA Director General Dr Fouzia Saeed gave a brief overview of that course, which will be taught online given the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) considerations.
She stated that students will be encouraged to be innovative in their approach as they sharpen their skills in expressing their ideas.
The curriculum, she explained, will offer a mix of intellectual understanding of the subject matter, skill-based learning and on-the-ground experience of working in a professional environment.
The programme is focused on film production with a full understanding of filmmaking.
Various fields of film production will be offered to develop a more focused area of interest, she said.
Actor, director and filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat, who is part of the programme, shed light on what went into assembling the team of eight trainers for the course. the rest of the faculty members to the audience.
The team includes veteran film critic Aijaz Gul, who holds two degrees in cinema from the University of Southern California and has published at least four books on films. Others include American independent filmmaker and photographer Peter Bussian, Emmy award-winning writer and producer Lisa Lucas, German film director Dr Andre Nebe, Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq, author and social scientist Dr Saeed, American-Pakistani award-winning filmmaker Tabish Habib, and writer and Ajoka theatre’s executive director Shahid Nadeem.
Khoosat added that it has participants from across Pakistan and with that diversity, they hope to infuse new life into the film fraternity.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2020.