FILM SOCIETY MOVEMENT
IN ANDHRA PRADESH:

   AN OVERVIEW


 To create a sizeable audience which would view realistic, artistic and meaningful cinema and to spread good cinema culture among the people were the principal objectives of the First film society. In addition to the above the film societies had another important activity of inspiring the Film makers to make films with aesthetic and artistic approach towards the society and its problems.

In the last eight decades of the film society movement all over the world the societies has made their presence feel by the good film lovers and had a commendable impact on the films. The film societies were founded initially by the writers, artists, and documentary film makers. They were very much aware of the powerful strength of the cinema and its role in attaining the social and political change in the society. In later times the film societies took the responsibility of good cinema exhibition, production, distribution and authentic film criticism as their responsibility. They even dreamt of creating a parallel film distribution channel for the film society circuit.

 But similar to all other cultural movements it has had its limitations, but even with its limitations the film societies made their presence felt and proved their relevance in the present society. The demand for the good and meaning full cinema is more valued today.

 The first French Film Club was started in1924 then the London Film Society in 1925 and as contemporary to these societies many societies formed in different parts of the world The Proletariat Film and Photo League were started in Japan. In those days many organizers made documentary films and some emerged as good film critics

 With the influence of the film societies in different countries Amateur Film Society, the first in India, was inaugurated on 22 April 1937 in Bombay. Derrick Jefferson of Illustrated Weekly, Stanley Jepson, and art critic Vaun Laden and the Documentary film maker P.V.Pathi took initiative in the forming of the society. Afterwards in 1942 Bombay film society came into existence.

 Later in Calcutta, Legends like Satyajit Ray, Chidanand Dasgupta, Nimai Gosh founded Calcutta Film Society in 1947.This society had a great impact on the new cinema movement in allover India.

From this society people like Ray, Nimai Ghosh, Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Subrato Mitra , Chidanad Das Gupta has emerged.

 Inspired by Calcutta Film Society many other societies came into existence in Delhi, Agra, Bombay, Madras, and other cities.

 The first International Film Festival held in 1952 in Bombay had a great impact on Indian Cinema and its line of thought. 
The film societies functioning in different parts of the country thought of coordination and seven film societies’ representatives met in 1959.In Delhi in Sri Kripalani’s house. In this coordinating meeting the Federation of Film Societies of India has formed under the chairmanship of Great Film maker Satyajit Ray. Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Vice President till 1967.Vijaya Mulay, Usha Bhagat, I.K.Gujral took the important role in the federation. Federation of Film Societies of India has success fully entering into the Golden Jubilee next year

 With all the development in the Film Society movement allover the nation the movement has also had its impact in Andhra Pradesh. There were 70-80 film societies working in the state in 80’s.

 In 1963 the first Film Society has started in Hyderabad as Hyderabad Film Society then Cinema Circle, RR Labs Film Society came into active role. They served for a quite long time but after the formation of the Hyderabad Film Club in 1974 the FILM SOCIETY MOVEMENT in Andhra Pradesh has taken a successful  turn and Hyfic has emerged as a pioneering society in state. It is a torch bearer for all other societies in the state. Mr.M.Phillip served as the secretary for at least a decade and organized many festivals. He was a Regional Council Member for the Federation of film societies of India and organized screening schedules for all the societies in the state. Later on Mr.Bh.S.S.Prakash Reddy took over as the secretary of the Hyderabad film club. Till then Hyfic took an upward movement with number of film festivals, programmes, seminars etc. Film maker Mr.B.Narsing Rao became the President and took lead for so many festivals. Hyfic conducting regular screenings and with a big event like MOVIE MELA it has stormed the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with great films and viewers enthralled the auditoria.

 And to add another feather to its cap Hyfic started organizing HYDERABAD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS.  Two editions conducted successfully in 2007 and 2008. At present Film maker K.N.T.Sasthry is the President of the club.

 Next to Hyderabad, Vijayawada Film Society (1973) stood for the good cinema movement in the State for a long time. Under the able leadership of late ISK Devarayalu the Vijayawada film society organized many film festivals in addition to its regular screenings. Chitra Samskara was the film journal published by society. Devarayalu served as RCM of FFSI for so many years. At present Mr.Krishna Kishore is leading the society.

 Another important film society in Andhra Pradesh is KARIMNAGAR FILM SOCIETY (KAFISO). It was started in 1978; the founders of the society were Central Sahitya Akademi award winning writer Naveen, Mr.R.Ramulu and others. It has acquired 16mm, 35mm projectors in 80’s. After the tenure of Naveen Mr. N.Srinivas took over the leadership of the society. In his period Kafiso organized Film Appreciation Courses, Children film festivals and acquire a piece of land to construct auditorium. Later many film enthusiasts like T.Rajamouli, Ram Chandra Reddy, Narayan Reddy, Venu, actively involved in the society affairs. Later under the leadership of Varala Anand Kafiso organized many film festivals and successfully constructed its own Auditorium i.e. ‘FILM BHAVAN’ of 200seats with all facilities like LCD projector etc. It has also conducted many children’s film festivals, rural film festivals. Rural children’s film festivals and founded film clubs in schools and colleges

Kafiso publishes UTTAMA CHITRA film monthly regularly. it has started conducting NATIONAL SHORT AND DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVALS. Two editions of the festival held successful in 2007 and 2008. Many filmmakers visited the society and support from District collectors like Sri C.Parthasarthi is appreciable.

 Another successful film society in Telangana region is Warangal Film Society. It was started in 1975, under the leadership of Dr.Srinivas Rao, JeevanKumar, ShyamSunder and conducted many film screenings and festivals, this society covered members from Kakatiya University and many other reputed institutions. It was a successful film society in this area. Presently Warangal film society is being lead by Writer Naveen as President and Mr.Nagabhushanam as secretary.

 The first rural film society in Andhra Pradesh was started in 1981 at an ordinary pilgrim centre VEMULAWADA. The village was just having one single projector commercial theatre and the population of the village was just 10-15  thousands.

 But the idea of a film society to screen different language films and award winning films was received with enthusiasm and around 300 members were enrolled from teachers, employees, doctors and business people. Vemulawada film society came up with the inspiration of no other than Karimnagar film society. Vemulawada

Film society was inaugurated by Mr.M.Phillip of Hyderabad Film Club.

This society was initiated by Varala Anand as its founder secretary and N.Prabhakar was the president. The other active members were P.S.Ravindra, E.Kiran Kumar, Nalla Prabhakar, and Chandramouli.

This society screened many films and conducted B.N.Reddy film festival, Chaplin film festival, children’s film festival and organized two district level conferences in which film makers like B.Narsing Rao, National award winning technicians like Vaikuntam, Sudhershan, poets like K.Shiva Reddy attended. Vemulawada film society was instrumental in forming film societies at Sircilla, Jagtial and Yellreddypet. Vemulawada film society served for five years. It published Chayanika Vemulawada Chitra Samachar a registered journal.

 Sirisilla Film Society was started in 1982 under the leadership of Late Rudra Ravi, Fasi, Muthyam Reddy and Saleem. Who were initially members of Vemulawada film society.  Writers like Jukanti Jagannatham and others were the major supporters of the society. Sirisilla film society organized many film screenings and conducted film festivals and functions invited Film Actors and Film makers like Devadas Kanakala, Narsing Rao, and Somayajulu etc. It published Chaitanya Chitra lahari a registered news bulletin. Sircilla film society acquired its own 16mm projector for their screenings. This society served for four years in good cinema movement.

 Jagtial Film Society was founded by Mr.N.Laxmikantham and Rayancha Prabhakar in Jagtial town. Conducted many screenings and programmes. It served for three years.

 Yellareddypet film society was started in 1985 in a remote village near Sirsilla under the leadership of Mr. Ramana a school teacher. It worked for some time and screened many films.

 Huzurabad Film Society was started in Huzurabad town with the influence of Karimnagar film society and particularly by the initiation of N.Srinivas of Karimnagar. Huzurabad film society actively screened films under the leadership of Mr.Avunuri Sammaiah a journalist. It conducted many screenings and organized children’s film festivals.

 Godavarikhani film society was started under the leadership of T.Jagan Mohan Rao and Mr.A.Ramkishan. Godavarikhani, a coalmine area and industrially rich area.  Members enthralled the society it was a big success for at least 6 years. it was having its own 16mm projector and film screenings were conducted in the officers club. Writers like Thummeti Raghotham Reddy and many journalists took active role in these society activities. They screened many films and hold discussions about films and their social and political approaches. It ran for a decade successfully.

Later on film societies started in Peddapally and Metpally and served for some time.

As there were 9 film societies working in Karimnagar District there was a good coordination among these societies and screenings were arranged as chain and scheduled in Karimnagar. Documentaries like Hungry autumn and P.T.Reddy and children’s films were planned to screen in all the societies.

 Vishakhapatnam film society was started in 1973/74 under the leadership of Prof.Venu Gopala Rao. It worked for good cinema cause and was in hibernation for some time but at present Vizag film society is organizing its screenings under the leadership of Mr. Prakash Rao. It also publishing regular bulletin 

 Film societies worked in Bapatla (1975), Narasaraopeta (1978), Konasima Amalapuram Film Society, Nellore Film Society, Chaitrika in Machilipatnam, Cinemanobhiram inOngole were very active societies.

Film societies worked successfully for some time in towns like Chiirala, Guntur, Gudivada, Kakinada, Bhimavaram, Rajamundry, Anakapally, and Kavali.

 Tirupathi film society under the leadership of Mr.U.S.R.Anjaneyulu and Yethirajulu is working hard to hold much different type of programmes for their members in addition to film screenings.

Mr.Anjaneyulu is the RCM of FFSI and Tirupathi Film Society organized Annual Regional Meetings of FFSI   

 Kurnool Film Society is serving under the leadership of Mr.Laxminarayan Reddy. It is  organizing children’s film festivals etc.

 Film Society of Sthambadri serving good cinema movement in Khammam. It is organizing film screenings under the leadership Mr. Ravi Maruthi and others. Ravi served as RCM of FFSI for some time and is the secretary of AP Chapter and conducted meetings of the Chapter at Khammam.

Kothagudem film society is organizing film screenings at the coalmine city in Khammam District under the able guidance and leadership of Dr.Narendra.

Cine Circle at Chilamkur is functioning under the programming of R.K.Paul who also served as RCM of FFSI, Classical Film Society at Mahaboobnagar,Tenali Film Society at Tenali, Revathi at Nellore,Clasical at Kurnool, Shortcuts at Hyderabad, Film Snonymous at Hyderabad are presently active in the movement.

After the shifting of the head quarters of FFSI (SOUTH) from Chennai to Hyderabad, the film society movement in Andhra Pradesh is expedited and many new societies are coming with guidance of Sri Bh.S.S.Prakash Reddy

 

                                                 -VARALA ANAND