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

 In 1986 Cine Central, Calcutta took the pioneering stride to organise the first-ever Independent International Film Festival in this country. Its much ambitious Calcutta International Film Festival, which began as a small, local film event blossomed into one of the most anticipated events in the great city of Calcutta. However, in 1998 this festival underwent a major structural change and was renamed as “International Forum of New Cinema” and continued to be held under the broad frame-work of Kolkata Film Festival organized by the Govt. of West Bengal.

The last edition of “International Forum of New Cinema” was held from November 14 to 20, 2008 under the broad-frame work of 14^th Kolkata Film Festival. The Forum as usual showcased Debutant Director as well as the contemporary films of the renowned director. Altogether 60 films from 27 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.

                   INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

                       We had mooted the idea of organizing a film festival exclusively for children in order to create an environment, where the children can give enthusiastic response to this particular form of entertainment, which broadens up the sphere of their knowledge and help shape their character with a wholesome development of their emotional quotient.

It is very pleasant to recall here that in the early eighties we organized three successive International Children’s Film Festival at Calcutta Maidan. For these programmes we received generous support and co-operation from Govt. of India, Govt. of West Bengal and UNICEF. The financial crunch and some other factors compelled us to discontinue that programme. 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 organizations. 

This year we organized successfully the 9^th International Children’s Film Festival from May to July, 2009.  The central festival was held in Kolkata at Nandan and Purbashree, Salt Lake from May 24 to 29^th 2009 thereafter the festival was held in Rishra, Beliaghata, Santoshpur etc.  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.