Silver past: Can public-private partnership be a route to revive FDC’s cinematic glory?

Seven decades after its inception to nurture and develop Bangladesh’s film industry, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) has faltered, weighed down by mismanagement and an inability to keep pace with modern demands. Over the past decade, the corporation has accumulated nearly Tk 500 million in debt. Rather than continuing to provide grants, the government is exploring alternative strategies to keep it operational. Between 2016 and 2025, the FDC received nearly Tk 800 million in loans and grants from the state. Yet, losses and expenditures continue to rise year after year, with no clear path to revenue growth. For the ongoing fiscal year 2025–2026, this loss-making corporation has applied to the government for a bulk grant of Tk 1.18 billion,...