Thu Sep 12 08:21:58 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Film Body Accuses Hema Committee Report of Bias and Exclusion

**Kochi:** The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has slammed the Hema Committee report, which investigated issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, alleging bias and exclusion. FEFKA General Secretary B. Unnikrishnan claimed the committee failed to consult all relevant stakeholders, resulting in a report that is one-sided and lacks inclusivity.

FEFKA specifically criticized the committee’s exclusive engagement with the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), accusing them of ignoring other film organizations. The union questioned why a questionnaire was only sent to WCC members and why group meetings were conducted solely with the WCC, deeming these actions deliberate exclusionary tactics.

Further concerns were raised about the report’s focus on production executives, despite the Hema Committee failing to engage with their union leader. FEFKA also found comments regarding a WCC founding member unfair and felt the report’s approach to gender issues was flawed.

Demanding transparency, FEFKA called for the names of the 15 individuals mentioned in the report to be made public, criticizing the report’s tendency to blame power groups for industry issues.

In addition to their criticism of the Hema Committee report, FEFKA also voiced opposition to the Competition Commission law, deeming it anti-people. They also highlighted the need for a new call sheet system to address the long wait times faced by technical staff.

FEFKA’s strong stance follows their initial demand for the names in the report to be disclosed. Their criticism raises serious questions about the report’s credibility and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive approach to addressing challenges within the Malayalam film industry.

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