The lone film distributor’s woes

Tshering Dema, Thimphu
Dec 25, 2015

It has not been even four months since Bhutan’s first film distributor Druk Films started screening Bhutanese films and they are already finding it challenging to get screening halls. From September this year, they were supposed to screen a new release across the country at the same time.

However, the distributor has been able to screen only two films since its inception. They were to screen two films a month.

They had identified 60 screening centres across the country.

“Right now, we are totally dependent on the schools’ hall, Drayangs and karaoke bars of private individuals and the gewog centers,” said Druk Films’ Tandin Wangchuk.

He said they are allowed to screen films on during weekends and when the schools have no planned activities.
The challenge, Tandin Wanchuk, said is putting a dent in their business since they have to buy films from producers.

“In gewog centers, we are allowed to charge only Nu 15-20 per person per screening where as the printing cost of a ticket is Nu 25.” Tandin Wanchuk said the school and gewog centers should allow them to increase the ticket’s price.