Film journalists' association launched in Kolkata

Uniting film journalists and critics in West Bengal by providing them with a forum to enhance their research and writing on various aspects of the state's film industry, the West Bengal Film Journalists' Association (WBFJA) was launched here Tuesday.

Mentored by world renowned filmmaker Mrinal Sen and thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, besides others, the platform will strive towards promoting, analysing and studying the well-recognised regional film fraternity and its working by tapping the prowess of film journalists, irrespective of their medium of communication.

"We are with the film journalists. I hope it will help journalists in furthering their cause and showcase the finer aspects of the industry," said Chatterjee while launching the logo of the association.

On the anvil are workshops, seminars and symposiums that will help journalists fine-tune their craft, after obtaining membership for a small amount.

Launched as a trust, the association will provide financial and other aids to budding institutes and organisations for film studies. Similarly, students of film studies, in need of monetary assistance will also be welcomed.

A film library is also a part of the initiative, which will help its members glean information on multimedia. Members will also get to know details about eminent film critics and their work. A comprehensive database related to showbiz will be compiled for the benefit of the writers.

Most importantly, WBFJA, housed at Rotary Sadan in the central part of the city, will honour reporters for their penmanship and service to the film industry, as well as members of the industry.

Till date, the Bengal Film Journalists' Association (BFJA) - the oldest association of film critics - has been according awards in various categories to luminaries of Indian cinema, but of late BFJA has not been actively essaying its role, felt WBFJA secretary Nirmal Dhar.

"Since 2006, BFJA has not been really active. A lot of National Award winning films were made by the Bengali industry, but it has not given them any honour or mention," said Dhar, while maintaining that BFJA will be like a guiding organisation to the new body.