05/09/2006

New forms of film financing, a new role for the National Film Centre (CNC), an efficient anti-trust law, and a restabilising of the relationship between film and television: these are the priorities that have emerged from the seminar on the new film law, organised by Venice Days at the Venice Film Festival . The seminar was attended by the representations of various film institutions, politicians from the EU and numerous directors, independent producers and distributors, critics and film journalists. What follows are the details of the themes discussed:

The CNC will have to be allowed to manage and implement all of the public policies within the film industry established by the new law.

New film financing forms (operating tax) will be added to the public funds (FUS, or Visual Arts Fund, and general taxation). The new resources, allotted by the CNC, will be made available through a form of taxation for all those who wish to use the film in any way (distribution, exhibition, broadcasting, DVD sale and rental, and so forth).

Anti-trust legislation: Choosing the most efficient measures capable of eliminating dominating position, as part of a reconstruction of a large, strong and free film and audiovisual market.

Relationship between film and television : the new laws ill have to also provide for a revision and enhancement of the a realistic application of Law – and allow for a re-equilibrium between the media and thus guarantee the backing, promotion and distribution of Italian and European cinema on television.

(Translated from Italian)