Directorate General of Films and Publications (DFP) here on Monday launched a digital film studio, aimed at promoting creativity and providing a favourable environment for film making.
Jointly inaugurated by Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal and Director General DFP, Sajida Iqbal Syed, the digital studio equipped with latest facilities is a healthy step to improve the standard of film-making.
Secretary Information appreciated the efforts of Director General DFP and her team for taking numerous measures with regard to publishing and said the digital studio is its another important achievement to meet modern film-making needs.
He said the electronic media in private sector has witnessed expansion and there was a dire need to be equally equipped from the government side. He expressed the hope that in view of the competitive environment the DFP would make full use of the digital film studio, saying that today's technological innovations enhance creativity and it is our goal to ensure a creative environment that is comfortable.
In her presentation, Sajida Iqbal said the DFP has prepared documentaries on Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah and other prominent figures of Pakistan movement. Sajida Iqbal said she was very happy over the accomplishment of the project, on which the DFP has been working for the last six months. She particularly mentioned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and PTV for their co-operation and providing training to the DFP staff for the project.
Giving the technical details, Sajida Iqbal said that when she had assumed the charge of DFP as the DG, the machinery for digital film-making worth Rs 20.25 million was available but it was not installed. As a result of her extensive efforts, the machinery was installed and made functional, she informed. She said besides a digital film-making studio along with the latest facilities, editor's room with a sophisticated recording room is also prepared.
"The previous film-making system which is known as 35 mm was imported from the then Soviet Union in early 1950s. It is considered as an obsolete and outdated system in today's world. So we have now switched our documentaries from the older system to latest digital film making," she observed.
Sajida Iqbal further informed DFP has prepared a detailed compilation of the life history, philosophy, struggle and speeches of those great leaders who are the makers of Pakistan and added that the conversion of historical footages of Pakistan on the modern digital system is a beautiful amalgamation of our history with the modern era.
She said DFP has planned to launch a series of publications. A book and posters titled Pakistan: A Pictorial View would be launched on January 2, while Pashto magazine Abasin (Khushal Khan Khattak number) would be launched on January 3. The chronology of Pakistan, consisting of six editions will be launched on January 6.
DFP has launched five publications, carrying historical documents, speeches and statements of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in connection with his birth anniversary and launched collection of Urdu and English speeches of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto as the Prime Minister in books form in connection with her first death anniversary. An exhibition displaying black and white rare photographs of father of the nation, captured on different occasions also continues at DFP.