JK launches Film Policy 2021 to promote UT as preferred shooting destination. Platform for local talent, opening of cinema halls.

Jammu and Kashmir launched a new Film policy to promote the UT as a preferred shooting destination as well as a platform for local talent.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has launched the Union Territory’s Film Policy, which officials said has been worked out to facilitate the overall growth of the film industry in the region, including setting up of a film development council and revival of closed cinema halls.

The policy, launched at a star-studded event on Thursday in the presence of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, aims at establishing Jammu and Kashmir as the first choice of film shooting destination for filmmakers.

They said it will also facilitate the development of shooting locales, infrastructure for film screening, revival of closed cinema halls, upgrading existing cinema halls, encouraging setting up of multiplexes and cinema halls, destination marketing, organising the J&K film festival, and restoration and preservation of films from the region.

What does the Film Policy offers?

1. A simple process for grant of permissions through a single-window mechanism to the production houses for film making in Jammu & Kashmir.

2. The single-window mechanism shall be headed by the Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Film Development Council (JKFDC). Film makers shall have to apply online through the J&K Single Window portal jkfilm.jk.gov.in

3. The chairman shall grant approval/rejection/approval with conditions to the film makers within shortest possible time (2 to 4 weeks of filing of complete application on the single window portal). A complete directory of all the locations available for shooting in J&K shall be hosted on the Single Window Portal to facilitate the film makers.

4. The final permission so accorded shall contain the details of Nodal Administrative Officer and Nodal Security Officer. Nodal Security Officer shall be an officer from the Police Department, who shall be responsible for facilitating the film shooting in matters related to security and police. Appropriate security and safety arrangements would be made free of cost to enable the filmmakers to complete shooting. 

7. Producers and their crew will have priority booking privilege in getting accommodation. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir will facilitate the providing of airstrips and its air resources for outdoor shooting of the film in the UT at such rates as may be fixed by JKFDC, through the mechanism of Single Window Clearance

8. These incentives are for 5 years. After the 5th year the Jammu & Kashmir Film Development Council will decide whether to continue with the incentives or not.

10. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir shall encourage and incentivize owners to reopen closed cinema halls. The Government of J&K shall encourage the owners of the existing Cinema Halls to create modern amenities by way of various incentives. All the incentives to such Units shall be governed under the provisions of J&K Industrial Policy 2021