Bhubaneswar: With the approval of the State Cabinet, the state government on Tuesday promulgated the Odisha State Film Policy, 2019, to create a conducive ecosystem for production of films.
“The state intends to be a leader in the development of the film sector. The policy will promote quality Odia films, film tourism in the state, establish Odisha as a destination for film shooting and improve screen density in Odisha. This policy has been formulated in consultation with stakeholders including film industry associations, experts from the film fraternity, government departments and agencies,” chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here.
To enhance the ease of filming and facilitate the development of related institutions, the Odisha State Film Policy, 2019 proposes to implement a single window approval process for the shooting of films in Odisha. It is proposed that all proposals for film cities, multiplexes and cinema halls shall be facilitated through the state government’s Single Window for Investor Facilitation and Tracking (GO-SWIFT) portal.
To encourage filmmakers to shoot in Odisha, a subsidy up to Rs 2.5 crore will be provided to English/ Hindi/ International/ other language films that promote Odisha, its culture, heritage, tourist destinations etc., and to Odia films which convey aesthetic excellence, high technical standards and social relevance. Up to two additional eligible films by the same filmmakers will be provided with a subsidy up to Rs 4 crore.
The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 10 crore to the first three big-budget Hindi or international language films having a minimum budget of Rs 50 crore, which promotes Odisha, its culture, heritage, tourist destinations, etc. Besides, the policy also provides concession to filmmakers on their stay during the shooting in Odisha.
The policy aims to develop Kalinga Studio with world-class infrastructure, focus on the development of film cities, cinema halls and multiplexes through appropriate incentives. These include capital investment subsidy, interest stamp duty exemption, reimbursement of land conversion charges, reimbursement of SGST, an exemption in electricity duty, environmental protection infrastructure subsidy and support for upgradation of screening infrastructure.
The first film city project in Odisha will be eligible for a capital investment subsidy up to Rs 30 crore. Land for film city, cinema halls and multiplexes will be allotted at concessional rates as per the provision of Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2015 or as per the guidelines to be fixed by the state government from time to time. These measures are expected to contribute significantly towards building a conducive ecosystem for the sector.
