The Bhutan Information, Communications and Media Authority (BICMA) is an autonomous government agency instituted as required by the National Film Policy of Bhutan and as stipulated in the Information Communications and Media Act of Bhutan 2018, with an independent board constituting of government officials and film professionals.
The Commission is tasked with building a strong and vibrant creative media sector (mainstream film, animation, short/documentary films, drama) capable of contributing to Bhutan’s pursuit of Gross National Happiness.
The Commission is a nodal agency for all film related works and is designed to bring about a paradigm shift in managing the film sector, from restrictive regulation to facilitation, in keeping with the global trends and practices.
The Commission is mandated to:
1. Provide necessary professional support to film production firms including training and capacity development.
2. Provide film grants through a dedicated film development fund for meaningful mainstream films, art film and other non-commercial films.
3. Participate in international festivals to promote Bhutanese films, scripts for co-productions, and locations.
4. Facilitate Film Association of Bhutan in organizing film awards and festivals to recognize films of excellence and to promote film culture.
5.Set-up and maintain Cinematheques or Art house theatre to provide screening platforms for art films and other commercial films in the country, especially in rural areas.
6. Maintain national film archives, film location database, films crew database, and integrated box office database.
7. Grant filming permits to both local and foreign productions as per the prescribed rules and regulations.
8. Rate and certify both local and foreign films as per the guidelines developed by Commission.
9. Encourage and provide support for the research and development of a Bhutanese film form.
10. Promote Co-production with International investors.
11. Promote and support theatrical performances in all sections of society.
12. Provide recommendations on matters relating to Audio visual and other entertainments.
13. Promote distributors in Films within and outside country.
14. Form a Review Committee for film, music, song and audiovisual.
Foreign production companies wishing to enter into co-production with local film companies from Bhutan will be eligible for filming royalty waiver. This is subject to further discussion and approval from relevant authority. (Work in progress)
Free visa maybe provided for specified number of foreign casts and crews coming into the country for international co-productions. This is subject to further discussion and approval from relevant authority. (Work in progress)
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