Filmmakers, writers, and artistes in a statement on Sunday demanded the formation of a separate film division at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Signed by 175 citizens, they also protested at the exclusion of the film section from the Drama and Film department in the revised Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Act.
鈥榃e have noticed with surprise that the film section has been removed from the previous Drama and Film department in the new draft ordinance of the academy. We strongly protest against this, and demand that film be made a separate department,鈥� the statement said.
After the student-led mass uprising, when the country is united in the ongoing nation-building and reform process in the new era, they demand that the government not exclude film from the academy, but rather form a separate category.
鈥楾he new generation of filmmakers who will portray the contemporary expectations and needs of the people through various types of films will not be sponsored by commercial environment,鈥� they stressed, mentioning that the BSA could fulfil that expectation.
Citing the sub-section 2 of section 8 of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Act 1989, they said, 鈥楩ilm has been a part of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from the beginning. Therefore, in terms of tradition and rights, there is no opportunity to separate film from the academy.鈥�
They also hope that the BSA authorities will realise and the newly appointed cultural adviser will take necessary steps in this regard. 鈥楢long with this, we are also demanding that the government make necessary revisions to the cultural policy as per the demands and needs of the new times.鈥�
Signed by filmmakers, writers, artistes, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, film critics, researchers, teachers, and organisers, notable signatories include Akram Khan, Nurul Alam Atique, Fahmidul Haq, A-Al Mamun, Proshoon Rahmaan, N Rashed Chowdhury, Khijir Hayat Khan, Shabnam Ferdousi, Tokon Thaakoor, Tasmiah Afrin Mou, Noman Robin, Wahid Tareq, Redoan Rony, Palash Rasul, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay, Sadia Khalid Reeti, Zakia Bari Mamo, Sazzad Bakul, Mohammad Romel, Tareq Ahmad, Rawnak Hasan, Deepak Suman, Dhrubo Sadiq, RATAN Paul, Dhrubo Hasan, Shamaol Shishir, Zayed Siddiki, Ehsanul Haque Babu, Tanha Zafrin, Antu Azad, Shohel Mondol, Nahida Sharmin, Abdullah Al Sentu, Tanvir Ahmed, and Abul Kalam Azad.
