East Pakistan Film Development Corporation (EPFDC)
Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) is a **government-owned and operated corporation** in Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1][2][3] The corporation is the **'core-centre'** for the affairs of all about films in Bangladesh and is under the administrative control of the **Ministry of Information and Broadcasting**.[citation needed] As of early 2025, **Masuma Rahman Tani** is the Managing Director of the corporation, a role that reports directly to the government's Ministry of Information.[4][5] The position of Managing Director is a significant one, sometimes ranked with other high-ranking officials in the **Order of Precedence in Bangladesh**.[citation needed]
The organization was founded in 1959 as the **East Pakistan Film Development Corporation (EPFDC)** which was changed to **Bangladesh Film Development Corporation** after Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971.[6]
The foundation of the organization dates back to the introduction of a bill in the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly. The journey began when **Sheikh Mujibur Rahman**, then Minister of Industries and Commerce of East Pakistan, presented **"The East Pakistan Film Development Organisation Bill"** in the Provincial Council on **March 27, 1957**, with the aim of developing the film industry in East Bengal.[7][8] This bill was subsequently passed as law in the Parliament on **April 3, 1957**, and the corporation was formally established under **The Film Development Corporation Act, 1957** (East Pakistan Act XV of 1957).[9] The establishment of FDC is considered a **milestone for Bengali film making** in the region and laid the foundation of the film industry in the province.[citation needed] After the facilities of FDC were set up, films have been released regularly every year since 1959.[citation needed]
Functions and Activities
The core function of the BFDC, as stated in The Film Development Corporation Act, 1957, is to **promote the development of the film industry in Bangladesh**.[10]
As an autonomous self-financing organization, the BFDC provides a wide range of services to filmmakers, including:
Providing all types of **mechanical and technical logistics supports** for film production.[citation needed]
Offering facilities for **shooting, dubbing, editing, lab-processing, and printing** of films.[citation needed]
Providing **raw films, skilled manpower, and indoor and outdoor shooting facilities**.[citation needed]
Managing the **National Film Day of Bangladesh** celebration on **April 3** each year. This date commemorates the presentation of the bill to formulate the EPFDC.[11]
In 2016, the BFDC signed an agreement with the **National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC)** to jointly produce a documentary on the **Bangladesh Liberation War**.[12][13]
Criticism
The organization has faced criticism over the years, including concerns regarding **mismanagement and waste of public funds**.[14] In recent times, there have been protests and demands from organizations like the Film Directors' Association for the removal of certain BFDC Managing Directors.[15] Furthermore, a significant number of producers reportedly owe the BFDC large sums of money, leading the newly appointed Managing Director to announce legal action to recover these dues.[16] Despite these challenges, the government continues to take multiple initiatives to enhance the corporation's capacity.[17]
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