Reviving the Silver Screen: 10th Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop Concludes in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The magic of cinema came alive once again at Kalabhoomi as the 10th Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop concluded, celebrating the rich legacy of Odia films. The event highlighted the importance of preserving films as cultural treasures that reflect the social and artistic life of their times.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, attending as the chief guest, emphasized that through preservation, classic films that are fading from public memory can be revived, allowing new generations to experience the stories and artistry of the past. “Films are not just entertainment—they are living memories of our society,” he said.

Union Minister for Textiles, Handlooms, and Handicrafts Pradip Bal Samant added that Odia cinema is a source of inspiration for future generations, and it is the responsibility of all of us to safeguard this legacy.

Adding a touch of glamour to the occasion, film stars including actress Anu Choudhary and actor Akash Das Nayak were also present, celebrating the event alongside cinema enthusiasts and preservation experts.

A significant highlight of the workshop was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Odisha Government and the Film Heritage Foundation for the establishment of a State Film Archive, ensuring that the treasures of Odia cinema are systematically preserved. The MoU was signed by Guhā Punam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Textiles, Handlooms and Handicrafts, and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation.

The workshop, jointly organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, the International Federation of Film Archives, and Odisha’s Department of Textiles, Handlooms, and Handicrafts, began on 12 November at the Odisha Handicrafts Museum, Kalabhumi. Over the course of the program, 59 participants immersed themselves in the art and science of film preservation and restoration, gaining hands-on experience and insights from experts.

As the curtains fell, all participants were awarded certificates and mementos, marking the successful conclusion of a program that celebrated cinema not only as entertainment but as a vital cultural heritage.