More power for quality films
The Federal parliament has strengthened the position of the FBW (Filmbewertungstelle Wiesbaden). Set up in 1951, the FBW evaluates the quality of films and it is Germany’s oldest institution specialised in the film production funding sector.
The key issue on the agenda at the 11 July meeting was a discussion of the new film production legislation, and parliament deliberated that judgements made by the FBW carry the same weight and importance (in terms of assigning reference points to a given title) as invitations to major festivals or winning awards.
Parliament decided that any major awards won by a film are just as important as its popularity with audiences, although they agreed that a positive ruling by the commission can result in investment in short and children's film production.
According to the new legislation, a film has to score at least 150,000 points and sell a minimum of 50,000 tickets (25,000 for documentaries and children’s films) to be eligible for state funding. The decision was welcomed by the FBW which has long been at the forefront of the battle to promote quality film production in Germany.
(Translated from Italian)
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