The Leclerc Report: funding under the microscope
Jean-Pierre Leclerc presented his report into finance and the French film industry to the Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the Minister for Culture and Communications on 3 February. The Report was commissioned in September.
The 120-page report is a detailed examination of the current state of affairs and includes around thirty possible solutions to "ensure the continuation and a balance of available resources" for the French film industry. The recommendations contained in the report include an annual increase in funds of between Euros 50m and Euros60m to allow the industry to combat the principle obstacles to production: they include the huge increase in budgets, a side effect of the star system, the cost of special effects, and the vertical integration that is effectively cutting out the independents.
The envisaged measures include an increase in the video tax increasing which alone will bring in Euros19m. Jean-Pierre Leclerc also recommended the exclusion from financial support of generalist TVs (if they also co-produce films) and to ensure that TV channels adhere to their financial obligations for film production, and earmark part of their advertising revenue for this purpose. These two changes would bring in a total of Euros18m per annum.
The Report also called for modernisation of the Soficas (film and audiovisual finance agencies) and a redirection of investments in favour of independent production. He also called for the legislation that regulates this sector to be redefined. Leclerc would like to see more private patronage of the film industry by rich individuals or companies and a renewal of the “Crédit-bail fiscal” system. As well as an increase in regional contributions – bringing in a further Euros15m, Jean-Pierre Leclerc wants to see more French money being spent in European productions and the creation of a “Film Production Observatory”
Now it is up to David Kessler, the CNC DG to present his proposals to the Minister.
You can read the Leclerc Report by clicking on l Ministry for Culture.
(Translated from French)
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.
