14/04/2006

€3m will be distributed to all cinemas that work to program quality Italian and European films in the next 12 months. This is the amount allocated by the Ministry of Culture for the "Schermi di qualità" (“Quality Screens”) project, which is aimed at "continuing to support the circuit of small, arthouse theatres that have been severely penalised in recent years, and best promote and distribute quality Italian and European films", said Director General of Cinema Gaetano Blandini at a press conference.

There are 35 European and Italian films already announced for release between April and May. These include Nanny McPhee (UK), Into Great Silence [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Philip Groening
film profile] (Germany), To Paint or To Make Love [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arnaud & Jean-Marie Larrieu
interview: Philippe Martin
film profile] (France), Adam’s Apples [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Anders Thomas Jensen
interview: Mads Mikkelsen
interview: Tivi Magnusson
film profile] (Denmark), Il regista di matrimoni(Italy), Elementary Particles [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Franka Potente & Moritz Ble…
interview: Oskar Roehler
film profile] (Germany), Workingman's Death (Austria/Germany), Kings and Queens [+see also:
trailer
film profile](France), Volver [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Agustín Almodóvar
interview: Carmen Maura
interview: Pedro Almodóvar
interview: Pénélope Cruz
film profile] (Spain), and The Golden Door [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alexandre Mallet-Guy
interview: Charlotte Gainsbourg
interview: Emanuele Crialese
interview: Emanuele Crialese
interview: Fabrizio Mosca
film profile] (Italy/France).

The initiative – promoted by Agis (an umbrella group for all the associations and organizations working within the entertainment industry), together with ANEC (Film Exhibitors’ Assocation), FICE (Arthouse Cinema Federation) and ACEC (Association of Catholic Exhibitors) –inherited its mission from Centocittà, the project conceived by Lionello Cerri and Pupi Avati and promoted by Cinecittà Holding from 2004-5.

There are three categories of the project "Schermi di qualità", based on a location’s population: in cities with up to 40,000 inhabitants, cinemas will have to program a minimum of 100 days of Italian and European arthouse films; from 40,000-200,000, the minimum number of days is 150; and for cities with other 200,00 inhabitants, 200 days. The €3m in funds will be accompanied by the approximately €2.2m already set aside for arthouse cinemas for 2006. 500 exhibitors have already requested funds and it is anticipated that there will be at least 400 screens involved in the project, for a per cinema average of approximately €7,500.

(Translated from Italian)