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INDUSTRY Belgium

2008 CCA report marks end of Minister Laanan’s term

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On Tuesday, March 31, the Film and Audiovisual Centre of the French Community of Belgium (CCA) presented its annual report. The meeting had particular significance, for it was the last report by Minister of Culture Fadila Laanan.

Industry professionals in attendance underlined the longevity of Laanan’s role, as she held government office for a full five-year term. They also emphasised the importance of being able to count on long-term ministerial action, in contrast to what had become the norm since 1999.

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After a mixed response and initially tense confrontations, the report on Laanan’s term of office outlined a few significant advances. The budget allocated to the Film Selection Committee – a constituent body for audiovisual production in the French Community – has risen by 28% in five years and is soon expected to reach €10m (in 2008 it was €8.9m).

This increased budget has been used to boost grant writing and create a support fund for experimental films. Promotional grants have also gone up, with greater support for festivals, local exhibitors, and in particular arthouse theatres.

Moreover, two large cinema complexes have opened or are about to open. The Sauvenière movie theatre in Liège (which opened last May) and the project for the Palace in Brussels received almost €10m in infrastructure investment. Ahead of the transfer of power this June, numerous constructions have been put underway.

The draft decree offering a legal basis will not be voted before the end of June because it is still being studied by the European Commission (until now, the allocation of subsidies was regulated by royal decrees). However, it is certain that the Commission will receive a larger budget in 2009 and co-productions with the Vlaams Audiovisual Fund will be encouraged with an additional €450,000 grant. Moreover, distribution and circulation will be the focus of forthcoming policies, with a bonus for the theatrical release of Belgian films.

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(Translated from French)

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