The presentation of a certificate to the producer and director of a children’s film, at the state film award distribution ceremony, has stirred up a controversy with a jury member terming it as an ‘insult’ to the jury and its decision.
“The act of state government giving away a certificate to the producer and director of Black Forest is an insult to the jury,” Siby Malayil, a veteran film director and member of the 2012 state film awards jury told Express. “The jury had clearly stated that though the film ‘Black Forest’ was found eligible for the Best Children’s Film award, no award could be given as both the director and producer of the said film are members of the governing council of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy,” he said. However, the producer and director, Baby Mathew Somatheeram and Joshi Mathew received a certificate from the Chief Minister, who holds the portfolio of cinema, at a function held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Baby Mathew is a general council member while Joshi Mathew is an Executive committee member of the Academy. The office of the Chief Minister, has termed the allegation as baseless. In a statement issued on Tuesday, it maintained that “the award consisting of a statuette or cash prize of Rs 3 lakh has not been handed over. The only task we did was to give away the reference made by the jury as a certificate. We have not acted against the Subsection 13 of the Clause 6 of the rules and regulations for deciding the film awards. ‘Black Forest’ is a film that has won the national award for the best film on environment protection. Both the national jury and the state jury has recognised the film. In this backdrop the 23 member general council of the KSCA has recommended the award for Black forest,” it said.
But according to Siby Malayil, the award to ‘Black Forest’ will set a wrong precedent. “The guidelines clearly say that the decision of the jury is final. The jury did not recommend any award in the childrens’ film section though it had said Black forest is eligible for the awards. if things can be done this manner, there is no need of a jury and the general council can decide awards from next year onwards,” he said.
