The 10th edition of the Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop concluded today at Kalabhoomi, celebrating a major milestone in safeguarding Odisha’s cinematic heritage.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that cinema reflects the social and cultural life of a society, and preserving films ensures that forgotten classics can once again be revived for future generations.
Cooperation, Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bali Samanta, who also attended the event, said that old Odia films are a significant source of inspiration for future generations and preserving them is a collective responsibility.
MoU Signed for Establishing Odisha State Film Archive
A key highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Odisha Government and the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) for the establishment of a State Film Archive.
The MoU was signed by Guhapriya Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation.
About the Workshop
The 10-day workshop, jointly organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), and the Odisha Department of Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts, commenced on November 12 at the Odisha Crafts Museum (Kalabhoomi).
The workshop concluded today with the distribution of certificates and mementos to all 59 participants.
The initiative marks a significant step toward preserving Odisha’s film legacy and fostering professional expertise in film restoration and archival practices.
