Amitabh Reza calls for overhaul of film grant policy

Prominent filmmaker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury has called for a sweeping reform of film grant policy, proposing a phased funding system and rigorous screenplay evaluations to encourage more creative, high-quality filmmaking.

Speaking at a seminar on the challenges facing the country’s film industry and possible ways to overcome them, the director said grant allocation should focus not simply on the number of films receiving public funding, but also on project quality, transparent selection and the effective use of government money.

Amitabh Reza noted that government grants play a crucial role in supporting creative films that often struggle to secure conventional commercial financing. Countries around the world establish dedicated funds to nurture artistic expression and promote their national cinematic identities, he said.

However, he cautioned that a lack of clear guidelines and transparency in grant allocation could create problems. A stronger selection process, he argued, is essential to ensure that public money supports promising projects.
Phased Funding, With Screenplays Under Scrutiny

As part of his proposed reform, Amitabh Reza suggested replacing the practice of allocating the entire grant at once with a multi-stage funding model.

Under the proposed system, selected projects would initially receive funding to develop their screenplays. Once the scripts were completed, they would undergo a second round of evaluation. Only projects judged to have sufficient quality and potential would advance to the production stage, followed by additional funding for post-production where necessary.

To illustrate the approach, the filmmaker suggested that 20 projects could initially receive grants for screenplay development. Following a review, the strongest projects would be selected for the next stage of funding.

He argued that this step-by-step approach could improve the quality of films produced with public money while making the grant system more accountable and effective.
Call to Modernise FDC

Beyond funding reform, Amitabh Reza stressed the need to modernise the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and make better use of its existing infrastructure and facilities.

He said upgrading outdated systems could create a more effective working environment for filmmakers and improve the industry's production capabilities.

However, infrastructure improvements alone would not be enough, he added. Developing a skilled workforce capable of operating and maintaining modern facilities would also be essential.

The filmmaker further emphasised the need to explore alternative sources of financing and ensure that existing resources are used efficiently.

His proposals come amid broader concerns over the challenges facing Bangladesh’s domestic film industry, including financing constraints and the need to create an environment that supports creative and technically accomplished productions.