Bhubaneswar : Film is a mirror that reflects the cultural and social reality of any society, and safeguarding this heritage ensures that invaluable cinematic treasures are not lost to time, said Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. Addressing the valedictory session of the 10th Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop at Kalabhoomi, he emphasized that protecting old films is essential to keeping history alive for future generations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Co-operation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Shri Pradeep Bal Samanta noted that classic Odia cinema continues to inspire young filmmakers and cultural enthusiasts. He stressed that maintaining these films is a shared responsibility.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Odisha and the Film Heritage Foundation to set up a dedicated state film archive. The agreement was executed by Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation.
The 10th Film Conservation and Restoration Workshop, which commenced on November 12, was jointly organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, the International Federation of Film Archives, and the state’s Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department. Hosted at the Odisha Handicrafts Museum, Kalabhoomi, the workshop came to a close today. A total of 59 participants successfully completed the training and were honoured with certificates and mementos during the concluding ceremony.
