03/10/2007

Following the example of other sectors, such as the aeronautical and pharmaceutical industries, the Minister for Economy and Employment for the Walloon Region, Jean-Claude Marcourt, has created the Cluster des Technologies Wallonnes de l’Image, du Son et du Texte (TWIST).

TWIST was launched yesterday at the 22nd Namur International Francophone Film Festival at a press conference attended by Marcourt and the founding members. Set up as part of a “Marshall Plan” by the Walloon government, the financial support policy is aimed at stimulating economic activity in the Belgian region. The Cluster (which includes Wallimage and Wallonie-Tournages) is the final phase in the structuring of the audiovisual sector in Wallonia.

Based in Wallonia’s capital Namur, TWIST's goal is to encourage networking between the various players of audiovisual technology and the multimedia sectors in the region.

The association intends to strengthen partnerships between members and to represent and promote these companies on an international level, as well as provide access to public or private funding supporting the development of these new technologies.

With a current budget of just under half a million euros for the first three years (decreasing to €128,000 in subsequent years), TWIST has 34 members, which include service providers and producers, the leading company on the European market of digital equipment XDC, companies specialised in digital post-production such as Cotoon and Vitor3D, as well as audiovisual training and research centres at the universities of Leuven and Liege.

(Translated from French)