17/01/2005

In 2005, around €70m will be made available towards the production of new feature films, according to the Italian Cultural Minister Giuliano Urbani. He also announced that in accordance with the Financial Law, the management of the Guarantee Fund by the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (Bnl) has been extended until September 30th
This decision will “enable the new Film law and the financing of films supported under the previous law, to be implemented” as explained by a Ministerial note.
In an interview, the Head of the Film division Gaetano Blandini also said that the films identified as being of cultural interest by the previous law and still waiting for financial support, would be awarded some €49m by the end of January.

The trade association Agis (Associazione generale italiana Spettacoli) gave a positive reaction to this announcement, but was very critical about the €36m cut in the 2005 Financial law of the only Fund for entertainment that had already lost €38m in 2004 of which €20m for film. “Entertainment is in a crisis situation and this will have serious knock-on effects on the projects and activities of the whole sector as well as on the employment of around 200,000 people”, said Alberto Francesconi, president of Agis who also asked the government to take urgent legislative measures.

(Translated from Italian)