Kathmandu. The government has decided to provide a grant of Rs 35 million for the current fiscal year 2083/84 to encourage the production of films based on cultural and national importance. The Ministry of Information and Communications has invited applications for providing incentives in the script, production and post-production categories for the production of realistic, original and public awareness films.

According to the notice published by the Ministry, interested individuals and institutions should submit the application along with the required details and documents within 21 days from the date of publication of this notice.

The programme is to be implemented as per the ‘Work Procedure on Providing Incentive Grants for Film Production in Cultural and National Importance, 2083’ to implement the budget allocated for the promotion of film sector under the annual programme approved by the government.

The government aims to present the issues related to cultural identity, national importance and social consciousness through films and to encourage the production of original and realistic films. The program aims to provide support at various stages from the development of the story and screenplay of the film to the production and post-production work.

The ministry will provide grants in three categories: script, production and post-production. According to this, applications can be made under the respective categories for the development of the story and screenplay of the film, the production of the film and the work to be done after the completion of the production.

The person or organization applying for the grant must disclose the name of the film’s script, genre of the grant, name of the storyteller and screenwriter, language of the film, and the name and address of the script writer.

Similarly, the name and address of the producer, director and cinematographer, the name and address of the film producing institution or company and the details of the partner organization in the production should also be submitted. The application should also include the name and number of the artist in the film, as well as the personal details of the writer, producer, director, cinematographer and main artist, i. e. bio-data. The action plan related to the production of the film should also be submitted along with the application.

The government hopes that the grant will help in documenting and presenting issues of cultural and national importance in films. The main objective of the program is to encourage the inclusion of original stories, local culture, traditions, social realities and topics related to national identity in films.

The government is expected to provide financial assistance at various stages of film production to advance creative work, encourage the production of films based on original content and produce public awareness materials. The detailed procedure, criteria and other conditions for the distribution of the grant will be as per the ‘Procedure on Providing Incentive Grants for Film Production in Areas of Cultural and National Importance, 2083’.