New Delhi, Dec 23 (UNI) With more than 3000 films produced in a year, India is the largest film producer in the world, with an industry led by the private sector.

To fulfill the commitment to support the films sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved to merge four of its film media units.

These include the Films Division, the Directorate of Film Festivals, the National Film Archives of India and the Children's Film Society, India, with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Ltd.

The government merged the media units by expanding the Memorandum of Articles of Association of NFDC, which will then carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.

Addressing mediapersons here, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the merger of Film Media Units under one corporation will lead to convergence of activities and resources and better coordination, thereby ensuring synergy and efficiency in achieving the mandate of each media unit.

Films Division, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established in 1948, primarily to produce documentaries and news magazines for the publicity of Government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.

Children's Film Society, India, an autonomous organisation, was founded in 1955 under the Societies Act, with the specific objective of providing children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.

National Film Archives of India, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established as a media unit in 1964, with the primary objective of acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage.

Directorate of Film Festivals, as attached office of M/o I&B, was set up in 1973, to promote Indian films and cultural exchange.

NFDC is a Central Public Sector Undertaking, incorporated in the year 1975, with the primary object of planning and promoting an organised, efficient and integrated development of the Indian Film Industry.

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