Film Law changes approved by Council of Ministers
Last Friday, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved the Royal Decree that has developed aspects of the Film Law related to film funding, the qualification of cinematic and audiovisual works, their nationality, the administrative registration of film and audiovisual companies, the running of movie theatres, co-productions with foreign companies and qualified bodies with consultative powers in specific matters.
The changes introduced include the simplification of various state procedures that companies have to go through, such as obtaining the nationality and qualification of the film and the distribution certificate. Moreover, there will be an attempt to encourage co-productions with other countries through a greater flexibility of requirements.
Other aspects set to undergo changes are the general regulation of funding for the film sector, the preservation of film heritage, the creation of economic interest groups for production, the fight against piracy and the collaboration with the Autonomous Communities in the promotion of movie theatres and films in co-official languages.
According to the press release by the Culture Ministry: “The development of the Film Law represents a further step in the promotion of Spanish film and the recognition of the sector’s cultural and economic importance”. The rather controversial law – approved almost a year ago – has been described by government vice-president María Teresa Fernández de la Vega as a "pat on the back for the sector".
(Translated from Spanish)
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