Cine Central, Calcutta was formed in September 1965 with legendary film director Madhu Bose as President and Satyajit Ray, the great Master of Indian Cinema, as Vice President.   It’s  a      non-commercial, non-Governmental Organisation and Registered under Society Registration Act, Govt. of West Bengal. Cine Central, Calcutta is also  registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, Govt. of India. It is located in Calcutta (Now known as KOLKATA), the capital city of the state of West Bengal in INDIA.

 The society is devoted to the cause of Film Appreciation through screenings of contemporary and classic films of the world, publications, exhibitions, seminars, discussions etc. Over forty four years the society is spearheading a movement for cinema with social relevance.

The objectives of the society as mentioned in the ‘Memorandum of Association’ of Cine Central, Calcutta

a)  To cultivate true art and make systematic study of films on its educational aspect,

b)   To arrange for an increase of appreciation for good films among the general public,

c)  To influence the film-industry for the production of films of standard for the need of the society,

d)  To promote a healthy social movement in support of the objects mentioned herein before,

e)   To enhance the growth of film society and movements in this behalf.

           The first show of the society was held at Tiger Cinema on October 31, 1965 and by the end of the first year itself the society screened 45 films and the membership strength grew by every month. Very soon it became the largest film society in India and ever since it maintains this record. The Society stands forefront in mobilizing resources and procurement of films from all over the world and has established cordial relations with all film producing countries.

                     Cine Central, Calcutta devoted equal attention to Indian Cinema.  In 1966 it organized the first ever Festival of Indian Cinema in Kolkata where Regional films were shown.  The society regularly screens films of Indian Directors and most of the Award-winning Regional Films have been shown.

        Besides regular screening of films, the society publishes a Monthly Film Bulletin, mainly to cater the needs of members. However, its reputed Bengali journal Chitrabikshan has now become irregular. It has published a number of booklets on various aspects of cinema with a view to spread the film culture. 

                    INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF NEW CINEMA

The last edition of “International Forum of New Cinema” was held from November 12 to 18, 2010 under the broad-frame work of 15th Kolkata Film Festival. The Forum as usual showcased Debutant Director as well as the contemporary films of the renowned director. Altogether 78 films from 32 countries were shown in this festival. Come November, there will be yet another edition of this prestigious event. The full range of programming this year will, as usual, brought forth the opportunities to all film-enthusiasts to indulge in best of their interest on the big screen.
 
                        

CINE CENTRAL, CALCUTTA is going to present the 11th edition of International Children’s Film Festival from June to August 2011 in multiple venues with the help of Nandan-West Bengal Film Centre, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Govt. of India, and UNICEF. This festival will involve participation of huge number of children of every section of the society. Like in the past, the festival films will be screened in different parts of Kolkata and also in the districts in association with NGO’s and Municipalities. We are pleased to inform that H.E. Shri M. K. Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal has kindly consented to inaugurate the festival on Saturday 11th June 2011 at 6.00 p.m. at Purbashree Auditorium, EZCC, Saltlake. The entire festival is being organized on non-commercial basis—admission to all the shows is free of charges.

   It is very pleasant to recall that in the early eighties we held three successive International Children’s Film Festival in Calcutta Maidan. For these programmes we received generous support and co-operation from Govt. of India, Govt. of West Bengal and UNICEF. However, the financial crunch and some other factors compelled us to discontinue that f festival. As there was persistent demand for revival of Children’s film festival, we decided to make the International Children’s Film Festival as one of our annual event.

    Since 2005 the society is organizing every year International Children’s Film Festival in a big way with the help of Nandan-West Bengal Film Centre, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Govt. of India, UNICEF and various Municipalities and Non Governmental Organizations. 

In 2010 we organized successfully the 10^th International Children’s Film Festival from June to September, 2009.  The central festival was held first at Nandan and then at Purbashree, Salt Lake from 12 to 22 June 2010. The festival films were thereafter screened in different parts of Kolkata and also in six Districts.

In the evening of 12^th June 2010, in a glittering function at Nandan -1 Hall, H.E.  Shri M. K. Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal inaugurated the festival amidst the applause of children and their guardian. Shri Mrinal Sen, doyen of Indian Cinema and Mrs. Lori Calvo State Representative, UNICEF were also present.. The festival was blessed by a kind Message from the President of India, Smt. Pratiba Devising Patil.     

                                     LOOKING FORWARD

Cine Central, Calcutta has been striving hard continuously to reach the greater mass and keep the banner of the film society movement held high.  In consonance with the fast changing technology in audio-visual sector, the society has been reorganizing its mode of presentation and going for adaptation of modern technology in film-making and film screening.  We are optimistic for further progress and strengthening of the film society movement.

As long as there is film, there will be need for film society.