17/11/2003

Italian directors are mobilising their forces against the reform of the laws governing the Venice Biennale (which organises the Venice Film Festival), put forward by the minister of culture, Giuliano Urbani. The Italian Association of Authors’, ANAC, has claimed that the new law would be an "explicit attack on the autonomy of Italian cinema". ANAC has issued a statement saying that its "an external consultation project, conducted by government related bodies. When making all its major decisions, the Biennale would have to refer to these organisations, a fact that would lead to an inadmissible attempt at centralisation and control".

The draft legislation plans to transform the Biennale into a Foundation, open to private investment. Its management committee would be made up of the Foundation’s president, chosen by the minister, the Mayor of Venice, the president of the province (or their delegated representatives) and would involve the participation of up to 3 entities that would finance at least 20% of the Foundation. Proposals about the programmes and the locations would be put forward by a Consultative committee made up of representatives from the Foundation, the Triennale, the Quadriennale, Venice Fenice, ETI, Cinecittà Holding and the National Film School. The draft law also includes the idea that the management of the section could be overseen by a working group of no more than 3 members.

Over recent days, the parliamentary opposition has its expressed its concern about a possible loss of autonomy and the privatisation of the Biennale. The under-secretary for culture, Nicola Bono, gave the following reply: "There’s no act of high treason against cinema and Italian culture. The government’s aim is to make the most of resources, concentrate the support and the projects to increase the sector’s potential and avoid wasting energy".

(Translated from Italian)