The board had set certain standards for direction and production of films to be followed from June 16. According to the criteria, for a person to direct a film, he'll need to have directed five films or worked as an assistant director, or have a decade of experience working in any department in the film business.
Similarly, one needs to collaborate with an experienced producer to produce a film of one's own.
The filmmakers were united in voicing their discontent at the film board's new rules. One such filmmaker Anup Subedi stated that first they would request the film board to withdraw the new rules, but failing that, they would go to court."The criteria set by the board are ridiculous. Our only demand is that they withdraw it within a week. If they don't take it back we'll take our case to the court," said Subedi.
Writer Amar Giri, former chairman of the film board, also stated that the criteria set by the film board went against the National Film Policy and Interim Constitution of the country.
"The Nepali film industry has problems and we need to discuss extensively on them. But the board has set up these new rules as if the problems only came from directors and producers. I don't agree on this," he stated.
Director Manoj Pandit pointed out that the criteria went against the rights to creativity and business forcing people to oppose it.
Pandit said, "We're not fighting the board just for the sake of it. The criteria are really impractical and laughable. It's important that the board take it back as soon as possible."
However, senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit was of a different opinion. He stated that because films have a fine relationship with creativity and the market, it was more important for decisions to be governed by the market instead of the authorities.
"I don't see any point in debating on this issue. If there has been an influx of directors and producers, the market will ultimately regulate their quantity and quality."
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