July 11: Local film producers will no longer have to depend on the Lugar Theatre to screen their movies. A new movie hall at Changjij in Thimphu will open on the July 13.

Singye Galem, a film produced by Yeshey Tshering will be the first movie that will be screened at the new hall.

The opening of the new movie hall at Changjij in Thimphu will come at a time when local film producers are faced with acute shortage of movie halls.

Until now Lugar Theatre located in the heart of Thimphu town was the only place where local film producers could screen their movies.

The General Secretary of the Motion Picture Association of Bhutan, Sherub Gyeltshen said the number of films produced has increased over the years with the highest recorded in 2006 with about 22 films released.

He said the film fraternity has suffered a lot due to lack of movie halls and described it as one of the major setback.

Sherub Gyeltshen said the opening of the new movie hall at Changjiji, Trowa Theatre, will ease the problem to some extent.

The movie hall has seats for 440 people. It also has other modern facilities like air conditioner and coffee shops.

The General Secretary of the Motion Picture Association of Bhutan said they hoping to see an increase in audience because of the better facilities at the new movie hall.