NFAI hikes research fellowship

The advisory committee of the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) has given its nod to the revised rates for research fellowship. The rate, given by the NFAI, was revised before 2008 but could not be implemented as the committee had not given its approval.

After the nod, the new rates for scholarships would be effective from 2008. The director of NFAI, Prashant Pathrabe, said on Friday that for research fellowship, each student would be entitled for Rs60,000 per annum and Rs25,000 towards incidentals.

Earlier it was Rs24,000 per annum and Rs8,000 towards incidentals. The Union ministry of information and broadcasting has increased the number of fellowship from two to 10 per year and has also increased the budget to Rs15 lakh.

For monograph project it would be Rs30,000 (consolidated) instead of Rs15,000 and for oral history project it would be Rs1,000 per hour for recorded interview limited to Rs10,000 and Rs15,000 towards incidentals.

Considering the drop in the number of members of the NFAI film circle, the membership rates have also been revised.

“Though there wasn’t any change in the annual membership fees from 1996 to 2007, annual membership fee was increased in 2008 from Rs600 to Rs2,000. However, many members resisted the increase and the registration of members came down. To increase the number of members, after consulting the NFAI advisory committee, we have decided to reduce the membership fee for the current year to Rs1,500 per annum with immediate
effect,” Pathrabe said.

The NFAI film circle screens films for its members every Saturday. It screens minimum 52 films in a year. Till 2008, the average number of members was 500, but now it has dropped to 80 members.

“We appeal to former members and film lovers, especially youngsters, to become members and join the Film Club movement,” he said.