Lack of funds hits eco- films

The Hindu, Wednesday, November 23, 2005

NEW DELHI: They may have the spirit and determination to explore the deep, dark secrets of the jungle, but with a small pocket and a still nascent market continuing to be their major challenge, Indian environment filmmakers may just be more vulnerable outside the jungle than in it. Or, so feel some of the best environment filmmakers in the country.

Lack of funding and broadcasters were seen as the biggest challenge facing environment filmmakers in India on the first day of the Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival that was inaugurated at the India Habitat Centre here on Monday.

Speaking at a workshop on "Shifting trends in wildlife filmmaking", award-winning filmmaker Naresh Bedi said: "The Indian wildlife documentary scene is very different from what is happening internationally. There is no support in terms of finances or the final output on television.

And if you take your film to an International player, then they pay you the minimum possible. I don't think there is a dearth of talent in the country, but the problems facing us have remained the same." Seconding his opinion were acclaimed filmmaker Mike Pandey and Shekhar Dattari, who agreed that there was a long way to go before documentary films on environment and wildlife found a place on every day television shows.

"It is important to think why in a billion people we have only a thousand filmmakers. There is clearly no dearth of talent. But then while there is no funding the option of corporate sponsorship is also out because it becomes an ethical issue of not being involved with anyone who might be involved in mining or anything that destroys the environment," remarked Dattatri

Moderating the discussion was acclaimed British filmmaker, Richard Brock, felt that if a filmmaker has a good story and a way to tell it, then it can be done even ill a low budget set up. Describing the scene in the United Kingdom and the United States, the Chief executive of Wild screen, Harriet Nimmo noted that the scene was changing. "There are a lot of channels like Sky that are now showing environment films. There is a lot of event programming now like recently there were shows on the wildlife in Britain's back gardens. It helped involved ordinary members of the audience. A lot of these shows may seem to be sensationalizing but if they can help create interest among people then they are working," she felt. Describing content as a key element, filmmaker Mike Pandey felt that provided the story line and approach was good, even a film made on a small budget could touch the mind and heart of the audience.