228 features produced in 2007
The situation is looking up for French film production according to data released by the National Centre for Cinematography (CNC). A total of 228 features were approved in 2007 (203 in 2006), including 186 French Initiative Films (FIF), compared to 164 the previous year. This increase affected medium-budget films (€4-7m) in particular, as their number rose from 19 in 2006 to 30 in 2007.
For the first time, the €1bn mark for investment in FIFs was reached (€1,009.140m compared to €865.04m for the previous year) while the 42 foreign initiative films approved in 2007 received €191.4m (€283.43m in 2006 for 39 features).
In her New Year’s speech before industry professionals yesterday evening, Véronique Cayla, director general of the CNC, placed particular emphasis on the transition to digital technology; on the 4% increase in the support account offset by the transfer to the CNC of certain financing obligations previously undertaken by the Culture Ministry; and on the necessity of recovering market shares for French films in the summer.
She also announced that the advances on receipts board (which granted €24m in 2008) would broaden the committee’s scope for debut features, to include projects for second features.
(Translated from French)
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