Film industry to advance through national consensus: Information Minister

The government sees the creative sector as a vital force in rebuilding the state and society, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said. He stated that the country's film industry will be taken to new heights based on national consensus.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 'National Film Parliament Conference-2026' at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium in Agargaon, capital, on Saturday, May 16. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and the Bangladesh Film Archive.

"We did not come to power just for the sake of power. We have said that this cannot continue. The state and society must be rebuilt," the information minister said.

Creative industries, including film, are an important 'soft power' of civilisation, he added. Artists, filmmakers and creative individuals have a vital role to play in enriching this power.

The government wants to make decisions based on the opinions of stakeholders at every level of the film industry and national consensus, the minister said. Quality creative production is not possible without effective coordination with experts.

Regarding reforms in the film sector, Swapon said the newly formed Film Certification Board and Jury Board have been welcomed by everyone in the film industry. While there were controversies over the formation of these boards in the past, stakeholders have supported the new boards without any dispute this time.

A proposal has been sent to the finance ministry to increase the amount of government grants for films in the upcoming budget, the minister said. Strict measures will also be taken to ensure speedy disbursement of grant funds and completion of film production within the stipulated time.

Noting the decline in the number of cinema halls as one of the biggest crises facing the film industry, the minister said the government has taken special initiatives to preserve and modernise single-screen cinema halls.