On March 7, 2024, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched India’s first state-run over-the-top (OTT) platform named ‘Cspace’ in Thiruvananthapuram. Managed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), the platform aims to showcase award-winning films, short films, documentaries and other content that have not received a wide theatrical release but have significant artistic and cultural merit.
Curator Panel and Content Selection
- To ensure the quality of content on Seaspace, KSFDC has appointed a curator panel consisting of 60 eminent experts. Each piece of content presented on the platform will be evaluated by a panel of three members, who will decide whether it is artistically worthy of screening or not.
- The panel includes renowned cultural personalities like Benjamin, OV Usha, Santosh Sivan, Shyamaprasad, Sunny Joseph and Jio Baby.
Initial offering
- In its first phase, Seaspace will screen 42 films, including 35 feature films, six documentaries and one short film. The platform will be available for download on both Android and iOS devices.
Pay-per-view model and revenue sharing
- CSpace will operate on a pay-per-view basis, with users paying Rs 75 to watch a movie and less for short films. Half of the revenue generated from any content will be shared with its creator.
- KSFDC will bear approximately 50% of the cost to ensure the technical aspects of the films, rental costs, quality upgradation and website maintenance.
Purpose and effect
- KSFDC Chairman and renowned filmmaker Shaji N Karun said Seaspace is a parallel cultural step aimed at improving the quality of audiences and helping them change their behavioral patterns.