21/03/2011

The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA) has sent a letter to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to express concern about the future of the country's film industry. FERA has received signs from Bulgaria that the government plans to disregard the agreements reached with the country's filmmakers after their protests in December 2010.

Signed by renowned Hungarian director Istvan Szabo, president of FERA, the letter stresses that a strategy created by both the film community and the government would “guarantee that a certain number of Bulgarian features would be produced every year, and the creation of wonderful films”.

“It is a real pity to revoke consideration for all this so quickly”, the letter reads, referring to negotiations between the government and Bulgarian filmmakers concerning funds for new film projects. Adding that all European countries face financial hardships, Szabo says: “The best solution is the one that can keep and maintain an adequate level of financing of filmmaking until better times”.

“We appeal to you, Mr. Prime Minister, to order a change of policy; to adhere to the Film Industry Act, which is of crucial importance for the Bulgarian film, and to keep the formula of its stable financing of the modest minimum of at least seven motion pictures a year. Otherwise, the recent renaissance of Bulgarian cinema, which contributed greatly to the positive image of your country, can be easily destroyed and then very difficult to resurrect,” the letter concludes.

The Bulgarian film industry began a period of turmoil in October 2010, when Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rahidov announced drastic cuts in cinema financing. An austerity budget introduced by the government stressed that seven features, 14 documentaries and 160 minutes of animation will get state funding in 2011, “if possible”. For the following several few months, the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers organized a string of protests against the government's policies and its representatives met several times with Borisov.

FERA is the European Federation for national associations of television and cinema directors. It was established in Venice in 1980 and now represents 32 associations as full members (and associated members) in 28 European countries.