[Reader-list] Sign the Internationalising the India Documentary Petition

[rohitrellan at aol.in]

To: Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of 
India

January 25, 2010
Mr. Raghu Menon
Secretary
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi 11003

Dear Mr. Raghu Menon,

Chilean filmmaker Mr. Patricio Guzman has been quoted to have said 
that, “A country without documentaries is like a family without a photo 
album.”

India’s tradition in documentary began at the same time as it did in 
the USA and Europe. It is a pity that today, in comparison to many 
pro-active countries of the world, it is a neglected arena in India as 
far as state support is concerned.

The limited support given, to Films Division and Doordarshan / Public 
Service Broadcasting Trust are good examples to quote in Parliament but 
are meaningless in the international market of documentary. In the 
absence of a dynamic documentary market, India is not seen as a ground 
for international co-productions. Most films, which get funding from 
various non-Indian institutions and television networks, end up with a 
western perspective for western audiences.

We are writing to request the Government to take greater interest in 
this field and perhaps channelise the National Film Development 
Corporation to become a catalyst for international co-operation and 
co-productions of documentaries in India. It would be wonderful if a 
core fund is positioned that can be accessed for development of 
trailers by Indian documentary film-makers. This would enable them to 
truly compete in the international arena, that most are unable to at 
present.

Additionally, the terms of reference for the funds given to the Films 
Division and Ministry of External Affairs – XP Division should also be 
reviewed, so that more documentary film-makers can access them. A 
committee of documentary film-makers from different parts of the 
country should be set up for consultations towards this task that can 
also define a concrete policy for the documentary in India.

Please find enclosed a signature campaign of documentary film-makers 
from all over India supporting the above.

Looking forward to your kind response and action.

Neelima Mathur
Trustee & Trainer
Foundation for Responsible Media
With documentary film-makers from all over India

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

To Sign Log on to http://www.petitiononline.com/iid345/petition.html