04/11/2008

The Italian film industry is rallying to obtain a more efficient film law. At the conference Cinema: New development measures, held in Rome during the General State of Cinema, a proposal was put forth regarding the need for more precise funding laws, especially when in light of data that confirms this year’s more than positive upward trend of national production.

Shortly, the new tax credit and tax shelter (a tax reduction on business gains invested in production and distribution) laws will be implemented.

The political sector, represented by, among others, the law’s promoter Gabriella Carlucci, appealed to government to decrease its presence, in order to make room for the fledgling Cinema Agency, which will combine technical services for financing films and offer a single source of information within the industry.

Italian producers, represented by Riccardo Tozzi of ANICA and Angelo Barbagallo of API (Independent Filmmakers and Producers), also support legislation that helps offset growing costs alongside the declining resources of the FUS (Entertainment Industry Fund).

Also expressing their favourable view of the new law were members of the business sector who participate in the production of Italian films through “social funds,” such as Italgest, who contributed to the Edoardo Winspeare’s I Galantuomini [+see also:
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Nevertheless, several Confindustria representatives expressed their confusion with regards to the time the tax credit/tax shelter system would require, more than the currently allotted three years. "We need medium- and long-term previsions," they said.

(Translated from Italian)