The government has registered a bill in Parliament proposing that films released via digital platforms must also obtain a license. The Film Bill 2024, which was submitted to the National Assembly, includes a provision imposing a fine of up to NPR 1 million for unauthorized screening of films or film-related content via digital platforms without a license.
According to Clause 17 of the bill, individuals, organizations, or platforms that wish to showcase films or related content on digital platforms must obtain a license from the relevant board. This means that YouTube channels, streaming platforms like Netflix, and locally operated OTT apps such as NetTV, Cineplex, MSM, Kantipur Max, and MoMo (More Music-More Movies) will all be required to acquire a license.
The fees, royalties, and other charges related to the license will be determined through future regulations and directives. Previously, no law required such licensing. The bill also covers real-time box office tracking, required facilities and standards for cinema halls, permits for cinema hall construction, and other regulatory aspects.
Concerned stakeholders have submitted a joint memorandum to Parliament, expressing objections to some provisions of the bill. Organizations such as the Nepal Motion Picture Association, Nepal Film Producers Association, Film Artists Association of Nepal, Film Directors Guild of Nepal, Nepal Film Technicians Association, Film Stunt Artists Association of Nepal, Film Dance Association of Nepal, and the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Film have jointly submitted suggestions to the Parliamentary Secretariat, the Film Development Board, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
One of their key demands is to make the Film Development Board fully autonomous. The draft bill currently refers to the Film Censor Board, a term the stakeholders oppose. They recommend establishing it instead as a Film Certification Board.
Previously, the Censor Board included three film sector experts and six officials from various ministries, including one from the Ministry of Finance. The new bill proposes reducing industry experts to just two and increasing ministry representatives to seven, excluding the finance ministry representative. Film professionals are demanding changes to this provision, asking for more experts from the film sector and fewer government representatives on the certification board.
Another controversial clause allows the government to halt the screening of a film even after it has received certification. The proposed board would also have authority to censor television films and halt screenings. Stakeholders argue this clause should be removed, stating that nowhere in the world is a certified film subject to post-approval bans. The bill also proposes that scripts and recommendation letters must be submitted for film review and that the board members will serve a term of two years.
The bill includes a proposal to delegate certain rights of the film inspection committee to the provincial level. Dinesh DC, Chairperson of the Film Development Board, stated that the board is taking the suggestions submitted by film professionals seriously. “The film bill is now in Parliament. We are seriously considering the demands made by various organizations. I’ve already informed the Minister about this, and he is also positive about making amendments,” said DC during an event in Kathmandu marking the 51st day of a film’s release.
He emphasized that this bill is a top priority during his tenure and claimed he has actively contributed to its development. He stated that, once passed, the bill will bring significant changes to the growth and regulation of the Nepali film industry.
