27/09/2002

Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the French Minister for Culture and Communications, presented his budget for 2003 yesterday, introducing a 4.3 per cent cut in overall spending. The film and audiovisual sectors however managed to avoid similar budget cuts although they will not be allowed to introduce any re-capitalization of their assets. In 2003 these two sectors, (that are part of the broader “Culture” sector) will benefit from a Euros39.2 million credit line that will increase by 3.9 per cent. As a consequence, the French film and audiovisual fund, managed by the CNC, will have Euros449.29 million at its disposal. Also worthy of note is the 9 per cent increase (over Euros2 million) to the so-called “box office advance” (Avance sur recette). Last year, this system was only able to contribute to 33 of the 347 requests presented.

(Translated from French)