Results 2006 (3): 76 co-productions
After a busy 2005 (see news), French film production had a calmer 2006, with co-productions returning to 2004 levels.
Statistics presented on Tuesday by the Centre National de la Cinématographie show that 76 co-productions were accredited in 2006 (compared to 114 in 2005 and 73 in 2004). These were made up of 37 majority and 39 minority productions, which represents 37.4% of all accredited films.
For the first time since 1993, there have been more minority than majority co-productions. According to CNC Director General Véronique Cayla, this is related to developments in neighbouring countries, even if the consequences of the French tax credit on the delocalisation of productions in France (less than half of productions abroad in 2006, compared to 2004) has clearly also had a detrimental effect on co-productions.
On the other hand, the average budget of these co-productions has risen (€8.09 m), with total funding at €615m (€332m for majority and €283m for minority productions), compared to €691m in 2005. Funding for French majority co-productions was down only 2%, although their total number has fallen by 39.3%.
On average, French funding for minority co-productions remains unchanged (approximately €1.5m for film), whereas there has been a net increase in the amount of foreign funding for French majority productions (from €1.6m to almost €2.4m per feature film).
When it comes to co-production partners for majority productions, France works the most often with its European neighbours. Belgium is the most popular partner (11 features in 2006), followed by Italy (9), Germany (6), Spain (4) and Switzerland (4), while the UK is gradually disappearing from the scene (13 co-productions in 2004, 5 in 2005, 2 in 2006).
There has also been an increase in co-productions as part of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production (which involves three European countries). Twenty-six of the 76 accredited French co-productions in 2006 were produced thanks to the Convention.
Lastly, in the area of bilateral financial co-productions (with no artistic or technical support from a minority co-producer), where France has agreements with three countries, Italy leads the way with 10 co-productions, while Spain had only one and the UK had none.
(Translated from French)
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