13/05/2009

Since May 8, Switzerland no longer has two, but three film producers organisations: as well as the “historic” Swiss Film Producers Association and the Authors, Directors and Producers Group created in 2001, the country now has the Independent Swiss Film Producers Interest Group (IG).

The arrival of this new force in the Swiss industry is the result of long internal battles, which are not necessarily over. The organisation’s Charter states: “The IG defends the idea that producers are true initiators and co-initiators of projects, and guarantors of their successful completion, and not just mere managers involved in the organisation and production of films.”

Indeed, disagreements about the producer’s role, the distribution of subsidies and the orientation of film support that led to the creation of the Authors, Directors and Producers Group and the decline of the Swiss Film Producers Association at the start of the 2000s flared up again a few months ago. Since then, the words exclusion, rejection and resignation have invaded the Swiss production landscape.

The crux of the issue is the Federal Cultural Office’s funds, which have stagnated, while the number of projects and production companies continues to increase. The Federal Cultural Office’s policy, considered too interventionist in production by some, and responsible by others, hasn’t helped to calm the situation.

However, the dividing line between the different sides remains sufficiently vague and porous so that most of the 15 or so founding companies of the new Interest Group still maintain a foothold in their former organisation. This is perhaps with the aim of achieving reconciliation, as the IG Charter states: “Taking into account the small number of films produced per year in Switzerland, the IG calls for a single, united association of producers, in order to effectively defend the interests of all Swiss producers.” This is a story to watch closely.