Tax credit for digitalising cinemas still awaiting implementation
"It is truly worrisome that the legislative decree on the tax credit for the digitalisation of cinemas has not yet been signed and implemented. This puts many companies that have already invested in digitalising their theatres at risk, as well as the development of the future of film exhibition that alone cannot take on such an important evolution,” said Paolo Protti, president of film exhibitors association ANEC, in speaking to Italian industry paper Giornale dello Spettacolo about how much time is it taking to implement the tax credit decree, which will expire on December 2010 if not signed by Minister of Economy Giulio Tremonti.
It is not just the large theatres that are digitising their screens; for smaller ones, such as urban and arthouse cinemas, digital represents a great opportunity. Mario Lorini, president of FICE (Federation of Arthouse Cinemas), emphasises that he and his colleagues are paying particular attention to digital, and see in it a new way to improve business.
Says Lorini: “For those of us working with arthouse films, digitalisation will make programming more flexible, both in terms of content and scheduling. When we speak of digital we must think not only of blockbusters and so-called alternative content, but also of archive films, film series and documentaries. All products that we can offer our audiences, livening up our slates with titles different from regular programming. And we must do so soon.”
(Translated from Italian)
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