02/02/2011

Cinema exhibitors have said no to a film ticket tax proposed by the government and are threatening to close Italian movie theatres and start a campaign to inform audiences of the consequences if the measure is approved.

Exhibitors claim filmgoers are the first who will be penalized by the ticket hike. For the representatives of ANEC (exhibitors), ANEM (multiplexes), ACEC (Catholic exhibitors) and FICE (arthouse exhibitors), who called a press conference this morning, such a tax is damaging, especially after the drastic entertainment industry cuts of last year for 2011.

"It would increase ticket prices by 15-30%, risk creating a sharp drop in admissions, compromise policies for reduced ticket prices for young and elderly viewers and school groups, and hinder the activities of a determining area of the film industry, which has invested greatly in doubling the number of screens and updating them with the most modern technology,” explained Paolo Protti (ANEC) and Carlo Bernaschi (ANEM).

Many suspect the hike serves to cover back debts of those who used tax measures such as the tax credit and tax shelter. "We are asking the government to pass no hasty or imposed measure, but to respect previous commitments and hold a broad discussion to find more balanced solutions,” says Protti. "All those who benefit from cinema must contribute to removing the proposed tax".

To the 100 Autori association, which had criticized the clear-cut refusal of a tax on multiplexes, "which represent the most prosperous and expanding sector of the film exhibition,” Protti pointed out that "the movie theatre tax is a weapon that hurts the weakest, it is a choice against culture and against those who for years have been working to stimulate Italian cinema", saying he was nevertheless open to collaborating to find a solution.

(Translated from Italian)