Government of India declared film production as an industry in 1999-97. But due to the various uncertainties associated with this business no financial institution in the country is willing to extend credit facilities for film industry till now. The cinema industry is still in the hands of private financiers. It was with the prime objective of shifting film industry from Tamilnadu to Kerala that the Government of Kerala started KSFDC.

Even though this objective was achieved to a limited extend the complete shifting of Malayalam film industry is yet to take place. A major hurdle for this is the lack of financing arrangements. It was with this mind that KSFDC for the first time in India, introduced CREDIT CARD for the producers.

This scheme provides picture Negative, Picture Positive etc. in addition to the technical facilities offered under package for a limited credit period or ninety days from the date of starting the shooting work. Under this scheme the producer has to book the studio facilities on an initial payment of Rs. 5000/- and furnish a demand Draft / Cash for Rs.2 Lakhs and a bank guarantee for Rs. 5 lakhs or 10 lakhs.

Facilities including Raw Stock will be provided for double the amount covered in the bank guarantee.
Interest at normal bank rate will attract on the outstanding amount for the period beyond 90 days. In both the credit card and package schemes the producer has to execute a production agreement with the corporation on a stamp paper worth Rs. 50/- purchased in the name of the producer. 50% of the anticipated subsidy amount will be adjusted in the final bill after the film is censored and after clearance by the committee constituted to assess the standard and quality of the film.

KSFDC is now releasing two types of credit cards:

A class credit card which gives facility upto Rs.20 lakhs and

B class credit card which gives credit facility for RS 10 lakhs.

The procedure for taking credit card is very simple-

1. Individual seeking credit card should be associated with the film production / industry.

2. Interested person should produce a bank guarantee in favour of KSFDC for Rs.10 lakhs in case of A class credit card and RS 5 lakhs in case of B class credit card

3. An agreement has to be signed with the Studio Manager, Chitranjali Studio of KSFDC in the prescribed format and based on this agreement bank guarantee may be released.

4. Once the agreement is signed and bank guarantee released the beneficiary should give a stamp size photograph along with identification record like passport, ration card or credit card issued by any standard banking institution.

5. On receipt of all above documents credit card will be released up to a period of 3 years subject to the validity of the bank guarantee.

Utilising the credit card, a producer can enjoy the following facilities from KSFDC's Chitranjali Studio.
1. Any modern movie camera for shooting. Digital movie camera is also available at present.

2. Outdoor unit with generator and required number of lights.

3. All types of commercial vehicles including passenger cars, jeeps etc. required for shooting or for use in location.

Issue of film negative for exposure and also film positive (Fuji & Kodak).
4. Processing facilities for film negative, rush print, sound positive and print positive.

5. Both manual and computerised editing facilities are available.

6. Digital and non-digital dubbing facility.

7. Printing of posters and publicity in all visual media.

All the facilities extended under the credit card scheme as above are interest - free for the first 90 days. The first day is counted from the date of release of the camera unit for shooting.

Advance booking of unit, camera and other facilities is open to any credit card holder on payment of RS 5000/- as booking charge (non-refundable), Credit card facilities can be used by a producer for feature film, documentary film or children's film in any language provided it is produced utilizing the facilities extended by KSFDC's Chitranjali Studio.

When the film is completed in all respect and the censor certificate is released, the producer should settle all the studio dues before the release of the print. Subject to availability of funds from the Government, subsidy of RS 4 lakhs for a feature film can be adjusted upto 50% in the studio bills. If funds are released from the Government in time 100% subsidy can also be adjusted in the studio bills.

Thus, for a film producer, credit facility upto RS 24 lakhs is available in case of 'A' class credit card and upto RS 14 lakhs in case of 'B' class credit card.

KSFDC also extends other facilities to producers for the release of the film including theatre facilities subject to availability of dates in the theatre. Once a film is released and bill settled, further credit can be availed using the same credit card for the production of the next film. One or two credit card holders can join together for the production of a film so that credit facilities can be increased depending upon the credit card they possess.