The Punjab government has introduced a tougher set of conditions for filmmakers seeking financial support under the Punjab Film Fund, a move that has sparked backlash from producers’ bodies.
According to local media, the provincial government has revised the eligibility criteria for accessing the dedicated film fund. Applicants will now be required to submit a valid registration certificate along with full details of their production team, including the film director, accounts officer, art director, cameraman, sound recordist, and editor.
In a significant shift toward stricter financial scrutiny, the government has also made it mandatory for applicants to prove their financial capacity. Producers will need to submit a one-year bank statement, while at least 50% of the film’s budget must be reflected either as a bank balance or as an approved credit facility.
The criteria further state that only filmmakers with at least one previously released film will be eligible. For that released project, applicants must provide a censor board certificate, proof of marketing and promotions, and evidence that the film was screened in at least one cinema. They have also been asked to furnish audited financial records showing box-office performance and profit figures.
The government has decided to give additional weightage to films that have had an international premiere or overseas screenings, signaling a preference for projects with global exposure.
However, the new conditions have not gone down well with the industry. The Pakistan Film Producers Association has announced that many producers have decided not to apply for the Punjab Film Fund under these “overly strict” requirements.
The association says a large number of Punjab-based producers now find themselves effectively excluded from the scheme and are opting to stay away from the application process altogether.
