Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said a special initiative has been taken to sustain the single cinema halls across the country as the declining number of cinema halls as one of the major crises facing the country’s film industry.

“The government has taken a special initiative to preserve and modernise single cinema halls,” he said, while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Film Society Conference 2026 in the city.

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The Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and the Bangladesh Film Archive jointly organized the event at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium.

Addressing the function as the chief guest, Swapon said the film industry would be elevated to a new height through national consensus and transparency.

He said the government wants to rebuild society in a new way and considers cinema and other creative sectors as important drivers of national development in this process.

Describing film and other creative industries as a vital “soft power” for civilization, the minister said artists, filmmakers and creative persons have a responsibility to strengthen this power.

He said the government intends to make decisions at every stage of the film industry based on the opinions of stakeholders and national consensus.

“High-quality creative production is not possible without effective engagement with experts in policy-making,” he said.

Referring to reforms in the film sector, Swapon said the newly formed Film Certification Board and Jury Board have received widespread support from the people of the film industry, which he termed a major moral strength for the government.

Although controversies had surrounded the formation of such boards in the past, stakeholders this time welcomed the new boards without dispute, he added.

The minister also said a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Finance to increase grants for films in the upcoming national budget.

He said effective steps would be taken to ensure quicker disbursement of grants and completion of film productions within stipulated timelines.

At the event, noted art critic and film expert Moinuddin Khaled was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

President of the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies Dr Zahirul Islam Kochi and Director General of the Bangladesh Film Archive M Javed Iqbal, among others, were present at the programme.