MACTA eyes film institute

Despite the relentless war between the two factions in the Malayalam cinema field, the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) has decided to go ahead with its plan to set up a film institute (The Malayalam Cine Technicians Co-operative Society) in the co-operative sector to mould artistes and technicians for the film industry, according to a website affiliated to a national newspaper.

The institute by MACTA is now waiting for formal approval from the Co-operative Registrar. The proposed institute will be set up in Kochi. "We have forwarded the application for formal approval from the Co-operative Registrar. We will start the institute once we get the nod from the State Government," said MACTA Federation general secretary Vinayan.

"The Minister has responded positively to our request. We will be able to chisel out good technicians and artistes. Moreover, the income from the institute can be used for providing pension to those in the film industry. Though there are many private institutes which offer courses related to film making, none of them is up to the mark. That was why we decided to start a new institute which will have the affiliation of various universities in the state and the Film and Television Institute, Pune," Vinayan added.

The State Government will respond positively to any such initiative in the co-operative sector, Cooperation Minister K. Sudhakaran told.