KOCHI: A joint meeting of office-bearers of various film organisations will be held on Thursday to discuss the possibility of wide release of films.
It was the Cine Exhibitors Association that demanded approval for the wide release of films in future - releasing movies in all theatres, including B-class theatres, so as to prevent copyright violations and piracy. The Exhibitors raised the demand at the Film Chamber of Commerce meeting held in Kochi the other day.
Last month, the Competition Commission of India had levied fine on the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation and the Film Distributors Association, following a complaint by the Cine Exhibitors Association that their members were not allowed to release new films.
Later, a meeting of the Film Chamber of Commerce was convened to discuss the issue. The Commission observed that by restricting release of new movies to A-class theatres, many movies were denied proper theatrical release. At the meeting, the Cine Exhibitors Association members argued that some of the theatres owned by them were prevented from screening new releases, despite fulfilling all the criteria of the grading system.
They said even producers/distributors of big-budget movie Bahubali had demanded wide release, including the B centres.
“The producer and distributor should be given the full freedom to release the film in whichever theatre they like,” demanded the Cine Exhibitors Association members. A meeting of the Kerala Film exhibitors Federation will be held on Monday to discuss the matter, while the producers’ and distributors’ associations will meet on Wednesday.
Cine Exhibitors Association members warned they would launch protests if permission for wide release of films is not granted before the Ramzan, when some of the much-hyped movies are expected to hit screens.