MUMBAI: The Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) has announced that big films should only be released on five festive occasions beginning from Pongal this year. This is to ensure that small film producers find screens to release their films,

The permitted dates of release for such films include Pongal, Tamil New Year, May Day, Independence Day and Deepavali.

According to the Council, almost 100 films are produced every year out of which only eight per cent are big budget movies that are easily financed, distributed and exhibited. The remaining 92 per cent are low budget films who struggle to find a theatre for release.

Elaborating on the subject, producers’ council president SA Chandrasekaran said that the rule had been introduced so that small films, 300 of which are yet to find theatres for release, could survive the stiff competition of big budget films. A big film could be distributed and released easily, he added.

It may be recalled that the previous office-bearers of the producers Council had, in October 2009, announced a similar regulation for release of big films but made little success in enforcing it.

The TFPC decision will come into force from 1 February.