16/09/2002 - Industry operators examine the similarities and differences that exist in Europe's film industry at a conference during the EuropaCinema Festival- on till 21 September

VIAREGGIO – Italy’s calling Europe for a free and frank exchange of views and ideas about creativity and productivity in our young filmmakers.
The 19th edition of the EuropaCinemaFestival, that will end on 21 September, invited representatives of the Italian film industry to meet with their European counterparts in Viareggio to analyse what’s happening today with an eye on the future. Italy has a glorious past, with wonderful films made by world famous artists like Rossellini, De Sica, Monicelli and Germi. The list goes on right down to the present day with Troisi, Moretti and Benign.
The conference to take stock of precisely where Italian cinema finds itself today was held on Sunday 15 and Monday 16 September. The conclusion: while not exactly in the pink, Italian cinema is full of energy.
“It is true that Italian cinema needs more care and nurturing,” said the newly appointed president of EuropaCinema, Luciana Castellina, in her opening speech, “and that’s why we’re here today. I prefer to think of this as a workshop rather than a conference because it presents Italy’s film industry operators with a welcome opportunity to meet and compare their experience of the past and hopes for the future with their European counterparts.”

Each of the keynote speakers (and they included Xavier Merlin, head of International Affairs of France’s Centre National de la Cinématographie, Henri Roanne of the French-speaking Community of Belgium, José María Otero, chief of ICAA (Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales) and Rossana Rummo, the head of the Film Board at the Italian ministry for culture) voiced the hope that common instruments would be created in Europe to sustain its film industry. A pan-European convergence is a necessity especially for those countries, like Italy, where film production has been weakened by the political and cultural climates. The European film industry does not, however lack ideas or creativity. It can also count on numerous courageous producers who are ready to finance films by young directors who have yet to make a name for themselves. The missing link that will enable the industry to really take off is state funding and distribution. Also, European television stations and networks could play a much bigger and more important role if they only invested more money in film production.

This is an issue that worries France in particular, a country where film production has always depended on investment made by the TV sector. “Forthe last 52 years France has been operating under a mixed funding system," said Xavier Merlin, “ and it has varied only very slightly over all these years. The system worked mainly because of the support from Canal Plus. Every year, French television contributes an upper limit of Euros 150 mn towards the costs of film production and distribution in France and abroad.” CanalPlus’ recent problems are a cause for concern for French producers and the CNC, both of whom have direct access to the French ministry for culture (something that either does not exist in the other countries or is much weaker). They consider the ministry to be a necessary source of energy that enables the French film industry to maintain “good health”.
That is why the rest of Europe's film industry would do well to adopt the “French model”. Spain (160 new European films per year released with a market quota of 15 per cent) and Belgium (120) followed France's example in recent years and obtained positive results. Italy meanwhile has an unstable political climate and consequently, lacks the necessary continuity that would guarantee effective support for Italian film production.

A strong desire also emerged from this conference to work together to create a pan-European film industry intent on spreading awareness of the different cultures of its component countries. That is why regular meetings such as this are so important, since they stimulate and create opportunities for growth and development. In closing, Luciana Castellina invited those present to return next year to Viareggio to continue to talk, create, discuss and spread awareness of cinema “Made in Europe”.