12/06/2003

12 proposals to strengthen the cinema operators’ sector. A report into the activities and future prospects for French cinemas, undertaken by the Cultural Commission of the French Sénat, was published on June 11.

«An encouraging situation for a sector in the midst of change»: according to the senators, the cinema operators’ sector is fairing well, with a total of 5250 cinemas and more than a million seats, figures that put France in lead in Europe. Nevertheless, these facilities are concentrated in only 4.5% of cities throughout the country. To stimulate a more equal distribution of services, the report suggests that money be allocated to help set up cinemas in towns with less than 15,000 inhabitants, and a guarantee fund to provide loans to independent cinema operators to be used for the modernisation of their equipment.

According to the senators, the priorities include the transition to digital, which should be done with the application of new regulations, and the setting up of a high-level technical commission, with the power to take action, together with the Media programme to simplify the process of installing digital projection equipment in cinemas. Another issue touched on in the report was the question of the excessive concentration of film releases in specific periods of the year: on this point, the Commission has called for the allocation of financial support for producers and distributors who encourage films to be released between the period covering July 15 to August 31.
The report stresses the importance of raising the consciousness of younger audiences to images and the cinema, through initiatives that should be spread throughout the whole French education system.

(Translated from French)