South Indian Outdoor Units Halt Film Support Amid Ongoing FEFSI Dispute

The South Indian Cinema & TV Outdoor Unit Owners Association has announced that it will no longer send outdoor units to film sets starting today due to issues caused by the FEFSI (Film Employees Federation of South India) organization.

Outdoor units provide essential equipment like lights, generators, cranes, and grips for film shoots. According to the association, until the ongoing conflict with FEFSI is resolved, no outdoor units will be deployed to any shoot locations, particularly in Chennai.

The association claimed problems began six years ago when FEFSI office bearers R.K. Selvamani and Swaminathan supported bringing in out-of-state outdoor units, affecting local unit members’ livelihoods. Despite multiple attempts to find a solution, the issue remains unresolved.

The association also noted that tensions between producers and FEFSI have intensified, leading to the formation of a new workers’ union. Moreover, they reported that FEFSI has incited the Lightmen’s Union to block equipment access to shooting spots. An incident was described where equipment was damaged and a crew member was assaulted at a shoot location.

Declaring FEFSI’s actions as unprofessional and disruptive, the association stated that producers, who provide both work and wages, deserve support. Due to these ongoing problems, the association took the unavoidable decision to halt outdoor equipment support until a fair resolution is achieved.