Kinematograph year book (1948)

586 The Kinematograph Year Book. various provincial governments which generally delegates powers to Boards of Inspector. Distribution of U.S. and U.K. product is likely to become increasingly difficult owing to the replacement of English as the official language by Hindi or Hindustani and by various vernaculars. There is an increasing tendency towards a more stringent censorship on ideological and moral lines, and importers would do well to study Indian susceptibilities before submitting films. Another difficulty, particularly in regards to 16-mm., is the illiteracy of the masses. Dubbing should be handled by Indian firms. Import Duty : As. 4 per linear foot payable at port of entry. In addition there is sometimes a municipal tax levied on weight, but this is nominal. Educational plans are subject to the tax which, however, is refunded if an educational certificate is subsequently granted. UNESCO and B.F.I, certificates are readily accepted. There are no quota regulations. Provincial governments have power to require the exhibition for payment of a specified footage (not exceeding 2,000) in the public interest, but this power is rarely used. The trade is legally contesting the power of the Government in this direction. Remittances to the U.S.A. have been restricted to 66§ per cent, of the amount remitted in 1945/6. There is no restriction on sterling remittances to U.K. There are some 50 studios operating. In the 9 months ended September, 1947, 193 features were produced ; in the complete annual period nearly 300 are expected to be completed. Documentaries on National and cultural subjects are to be produced by Patel India, which purchased the Government's kine equipment and the right to produce an Indian newsreel. The Governments of India and the U.P. are also planning similar production. In the 16-mm. field the Government of Bombay is to spend Rs. 15 lakhs on visual education, mainly through the film. Import of 16 mm. raw film and equipment is dependent on the exchange position. Pakistan There are 177 static 3 5 -mm. kinemas in the country and practically no mobile equipments. Gross income from admittances is estimated at Rs. 45 lakhs. Admission prices : These range from As. 5 to Rs.3. In the Punjab and the North West Provinces, admission tax is 20 per cent. Immediate prospects of an improvement in the Pakistan film market are remote because Mohemmedanism is not favourably disposed to the film entertainment. In view of the small gross film production in Pakistan it can at the best be only precarious. Ultimately there may be a good market for American and British product. It is expected that American and British firms will have to establish independent offices and handle separate prints for distribution in Pakistan. There is need for foreign film producers to pay closer attention to religious and social susceptibilities of the country. — Ram L. Gogtay. Directory TRADE ORGANISATIONS Motion Picture Society of India, Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association, Indian Motion Picture Distributors' Association, Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of India, Sandhurst Building, Sandhurst Road, Bombay, 4. Association of Cine Technicians, Dadar, Bombay. Visual Education Society, Kitab Mahal, 190, Hornby Road, Fort, Bombay, 1. Cine Technicians' Association of India, Madras. Scientific Film Association, Bangalore. South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Woods Road, Madras. Mysore Film Chamber of Commerce, Bangalore Hyderabad State Film Chamber of Commerce, Hyderabad (Deccan). Bengal Motion Picture Association, Calcutta. Motion Pictures Association, Chandni Chowk, Delhi. DISTRIBUTORS Foreign Evernew Films, Excelsior Theatre, Bombav. Eagle-Lion Film Distributors, Humayun Square, Calcutta. London Film Productions, Excelsior Theatre, Bombay, through their sub-Agents, Western India Theatres, Ltd., Tardeo, Bombay. Soviet Film Distributors, Hornby Road, Fort, Bombay. British Distributors, Ltd., Humayun Square, Calcutta. Independent Releases, Fort, Bombay. Indian Supreme Film Distributors, Dadar, Bombav. Evergreen Pictures, Bombay. M. B. Bilimoria & Son, Bombay. Famous Pictures, Ltd., Bombay. Ramniklal Mohanlal & Co., Bombav. Bharat Pictures, Ltd., Akola. Advance Film Exchange, Bombay. India Film Circuit, Bombay. Swastik India, Ltd., Bombay. Laxmi Pictures, Ltd., Bombay. Calcutta Film Exchange, Bombay. Chamria Talkie Distributors, Bombav. Suresh Film Distributors, Bombay. Diamond Pictures, Ltd., Bombay. Shree Vishnu Cinetone Go., Dadar, Bombay. Silver Screen Exchange, Ltd., Bombay. Jupiter Film Distributors, Bombay. Kapurchand & Co., Bombay. Art Film Distributors, Bombay. Sunrich Pictures, Ltd., Bombay. Western India Theatres, Ltd., Tardeo, Bombay Kiran Film Exchange, Ahmedabad. Select Pictures Distributors, Calcutta. Super Film Circuit, Calcutta. Evergreen Picture Corporation, Calcutta. Orient Pictures Corporation, Ltd., Calcutta Bilimoria & Laljee, Calcutta. Famous Pictures, Ltd., Calcutta