KOCHI: The state Women's commission has asked the High court to set up internal grievance redressal committees by organizations in the film industry under theact of Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace. The Women's Commission has recommended that actors' association Amma, Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, FEFCA, Kerala Film Producers Association and MACTA to form committees. The commission issued the statement on a petition filed by the Women in Cinema Collective seeking action to address the problems faced by women in the film industry. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Challi adjourned the hearing till March 2.

Kabini Films has formed an internal grievance redressal committee in connection with the production of their film '1744 White Alto'. The statement said that while the formation of committees by production companies is very welcoming, supervision is essential to facilitate their functioning.

The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce and FEFCA had given an affidavit stating that the law to prevent harassment of women in the workplace did not apply to them. The commission noted that other parties, such as MACTA and the Film Distributors Association, had not yet given their affidavits. The commission said that the government had sought a report from the Film Academy, the Film Development Corporation and the Cultural Workers' Welfare Board on the recommendations made by the Justice Hema Committee on the protection of women working in film industry.