New Delhi: Kerala is set to launch the country’s first ever state-owned over-the-top (OTT) platform on November 1, offering film lovers a wide range of movies, short films and documentaries of their choice. The announcement was made by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cheriyan, who revealed the name of the platform as CSpace, through video conferencing, on behalf of the state government, at an event in Kalabhavan Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
According to a report by news agency PTI, this is an initiative of Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) and its chairman Shaji N Karun presided over the event.
Cheriyan noted that the launch of the new platform will mark a new beginning and will help in the growth of Malayalam cinema. He also assured that the platform will not affect the movie business and that the films will be streamed only after theatrical release.
“CSpace ensures profit sharing, transparency and high-end technical quality,” PTI quoted the minister as saying.
Notably, the registration of films that will be streamed on CSpace will begin on June 1 and necessary arrangements have been made at Chitranjali Studio and the head office of KSFDC in Thiruvananthapuram.
Saji said the platform will also offer films with artistic value, irrespective of their performance at the box office, along with internationally-recognised and award-winning films and the best films screened at the annual International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), apart from short films and documentaries.
Speaking on modernising KSFDC, Cheriyan said that adequate funds will be provided for revamp of the government-owned theatres and necessary funds have also already been provided to transform Chitranjali Studio into a shooting location.
KSDFC chairman Shaji N Karun said that OTT has an international appeal as it offers a wide range of films without language barriers.
“CSpace assures transparency and it ensures that the producers or their families will get a long-lasting income like a pension on their intellectual property. Kerala has set a model for other states through the launch of its own OTT platform,” said Karun, an award-winning director and cinematographer.
KSFDC Managing Director N Maya said that the OTT platform is never going to affect the theatre business as its aim is to appreciate a range of films, including short films and award-winning documentaries.
“Unlike certain other OTT platforms, CSpace gives the facility to watch a particular film by paying for it alone. One part of the amount given for the film by the viewer will go to the producer, who will get his share whenever viewers watch that film,” she added.
Set up in 1975, KSFDC is the first public sector corporation for film development in India.