29/10/2003

A document expressing the opinions and suggestions of cinema professionals taking part in the Valencia Forum, organised as part of the 24th edition of the Valencia Exhibition, has been published at the end of the meeting, last Friday. The event was organised by the Audiovisual Study Foundation (FIA) and the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP), in collaboration with the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA). The document was outlined during the Forum’s final session by the director of the FIA, Joan Alvarez, together with the director general of the ICAA, Josè Maria Otero. There were around 30 suggestions that could reinvigorate Spanish cinematography: including support for training and development; investment in promotion, distribution and operations: and above all, an analysis of the audience to give a better understanding of the way the public’s tastes are changing.
There was also a particular emphasis put on the ever-closer relationship between cinema and television, and the opportunity for renewal offered by digital technology. Obviously the document also states the importance of government support, and in this light, Otero announced that the Film Fund will be set at €50 million, with emphasis put on the new obligations for television to invest at least 5% of its income in European cinema. Otero also noted the efforts by the Spanish culture ministry to stimulate private investment in cinema through new tax breaks, now set at a minimum of 20%.

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This first edition of the Forum was a real success, with the participation of more than 30 representatives from the cinema sector and more than 150 people attending the event. Joan Alvarez is hopeful that this can be built upon for the next edition, planned for autumn 2004. Next year’s event will be focusing on European and Spanish-American co-productions.

(Translated from Italian)