National-level Film Festival in the state
Dehradun: Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan has directed officials to take concrete steps for strengthening the film production ecosystem in Uttarakhand and explore possibilities of hosting a national-level film festival in the state. He said the proposal for the event should be prepared in collaboration with the Government of India, which will further enhance Uttarakhand’s growing identity as a prime destination for filmmakers.
The Chief Secretary made these remarks during a courtesy meeting with Dr. Nitin Upadhyay, Joint Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Film Development Council (UFDC), held on Tuesday.
Shri Bardhan emphasized the need to provide more opportunities to local youth and artists, while also considering innovative measures such as the establishment of low-cost cinema halls in remote hill regions to ensure wider reach of films and entertainment.
Dr. Upadhyay apprised the Chief Secretary about the effective implementation of the Uttarakhand Film Policy, under which a single-window system is already operational to make film shooting permissions hassle-free and transparent. He further shared that in the last one year, nearly 30 regional films have been completed or are under production in the state.
In addition to regional cinema, several big-banner Hindi films and popular web series have also been shot in Uttarakhand recently, significantly boosting the state’s visibility in the film industry. With its scenic beauty, improved facilities, and policy support, Uttarakhand is fast emerging as a hub of film production in India.
