Includes bibliographical references and index.

A nation awaits a Pather Panchali -- The growth path: from Calcutta Film Society to the Federation of Film Societies of India -- Visionaries of the Film Society Movement and the new film culture -- The networks of films and film buffs -- The driving forces behind the film society movement -- The great fall and resurgence through digital mode -- The star film societies and the survivors -- The policy shift and waning political patronage -- Towards a new film culture: from crass to class! -- Annexure 1: Genesis of Indian films -- Annexure 2: Memorandum of association: FFSI -- Presidents of FFSI (1959-2016).