Dutch Film Fund to reward experience and success
Earlier this month, the Dutch Film Fund presented its plans for the period 2009-20012. The plans focus on a greater international recognition of Dutch cinema and a push for larger audiences at home. The most important feature of the new plans is its focus on experienced filmmakers and producers.
To achieve its ambitious goals, the fund has asked Dutch Minister of Culture Ronald Plasterk for an additional €3.5m to finance the new plans and also be able to extend aid beyond traditional feature film production to the domains of artistic projects, documentaries and animated films.
In the coming years the fund will allocate more money to fewer projects – thus sharply increasing competition for selection. To aid established production companies, two-thirds of the feature film budget will be allocated to the twelve best. Another measure to consolidate the film sector is the need for the producer to have produced at least two features to be eligible for financial support because “a film’s success is heavily dependent on the experience of the producer”.
The success of past projects will be measured and taken into account for new applications, while new talent will be nurtured in a still to be set up separate programme.
The Dutch Film Fund will focus on “professionalism, singularity and diversity” to create a varied palette of film that should increase exposure both at home and abroad. The plans are a direct result of discussions with all film organisations involved.
The Dutch Film Fund has around €37.5m at its disposal each year, which is below the European average on a per capita basis.
Dutch films accounted for over 13% of annual admissions in the Netherlands last year, or about 2.9m entries.
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