Independent Bengali film “The Academy of Fine Arts”, directed by SRFTI graduate Jayabrata Das, was released in theatres on Friday, ending a week-long uncertainty over its screening. The film’s earlier release scheduled for November 14 was stalled after the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) raised objections.
“The federation cited the involvement of a producer with outstanding dues to technicians from a previous project and noted that no federation-affiliated technicians had been employed for indoor or outdoor shoots.”
FCTWEI president Swaroop Biswas said the film cannot be categorised as a student film due to the participation of a known producer, adding that the producer had defaulted on payments to crew members of another project.
Following extensive discussions involving FCTWEI, the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), producers, director, cast, and other industry stakeholders, SSR Films, led by distributor Satadeep Saha, took over the distribution responsibilities. Fifty per cent of the dues from the previous producer have been cleared, while the present distributor has settled the remaining amount, paving the way for the release.