19/01/2007

After a record 2005 with 240 features, which saw French production go into overdrive, 2006 saw the number of films produced return to more reasonable levels (203 films), according to statistics published yesterday by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC).

Nevertheless, this fall in production from the highs of 2004, 2002 and 2001 did not affect 100% French films: 128 features last year (or 63% of overall production), compared to 126 in 2005. On the other hand, there were only 75 international co-productions in 2006, 39 less than last year, returning to 2004 levels (73).

French majority co-productions experienced a greater decrease (-41%, from 61 films to 36) than minority co-productions (-26.5%, from 53 films to 39). In total, 164 French Initiative Films (FIF) represented 80.7% of 203 films produced in 2006.

Investment in film production stood at €1.15bn in 2006, compared to €1.28bn in 2005, down 10.7%. Last year, French Initiative Films received €865.04m, compared to €933.67m in 2005 (-7.3%), while foreign majority co-productions attracted €283.43m in investment, down 19.6% compared to €352.46m in 2005. Investment from French sources alone was €834.5m (€916.9m in 2005, a 9% decrease) and were €777.21m for FIF (-7%) and €57m for French minority co-productions (-28%).