Kerala Film Conclave Highlights: Wages, On-Set Facilities, and ICC Reforms Discussed

Quick Summary

• The first day of the Kerala Film Policy Conclave, organised by the Culture Department, was held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
• Discussions addressed diverse issues in the Malayalam film industry, including:

– Women’s safety on sets and better functioning of internal complaints committees.
– Maternity leave provisions and creche facilities for women.
– Wage disparity concerns; panel highlighted that lead actors receive a significant portion of budgets while others are frequently enough underpaid.
– Demands for overtime wages and guaranteed employment during lean periods faced by lower-paid workers.

• Use of technology in filmmaking sparked mixed opinions-some supported embracing it while others raised concerns about losing cinema’s “soul.”
• Suggestions included:

– Government subsidies for self-reliant films.
– Securing theatre releases and OTT entries for such films with at least one guaranteed show per release.
– A State-level jury to select Indian films for international film festivals.

• Exhibitors requested removal of entertainment tax alongside GST payment and sought low-interest loans to modernise theatres.
• The television serial sector’s challenges were also discussed at the event.

Indian Opinion analysis

The Kerala Film Policy Conclave reflects an effort to address systemic inequalities and challenges within the Malayalam film industry, serving as a platform to discuss wage disparities, contractual irregularities, technological evolution, gender justice, diversity promotion, and taxation adjustments essential to financially support all stakeholders involved.

The emphasis on women’s safety highlights an ongoing societal shift toward inclusivity across workspaces-notably within creative industries where informal working structures can exacerbate inequities or security risks. Similarly noteworthy are calls made for policies favoring small-scale independent cinema-a contrast from dominant commercial narratives-which could democratize storytelling within India’s cinematic landscape if implemented robustly.

These deliberations underline a need not just for clear policy interventions but sustained accountability frameworks aimed at enhancing equity across production hierarchies while preserving cultural values vital shaping identity generational cinematic expression trends insights testbed .