04/10/2012 - As well as its aid to screenwriting, production, promotion, and distribution, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is also to support its region's numerous audiovisual operators

As well as its aid to screenwriting, production, promotion, and distribution, that it notably hands out via the work of its Film Selection Commission, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is now also supporting other structures or other phases of film production and distribution. Following the new cinema decree, a professional commission was set up to hand out these different forms of support.

For its first round, the commission has chosen to support the work of three film distributors, eight exhibitors, two digital distribution structures, 18 festival organisers, and 13 workshops.

To encourage auteur film distribution, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is to support the activity of three arthouse film distributors (Cinéart, O’Brother, and Imagine Film Distribution) with €35,000 to €65,000, while subsidies worth up to €810,000 are to support the work of eight arthouse cinemas. The federation is also to support online distribution through two projects (UniversCiné and CBAWIP-DOC for documentaries) to support the cultural diversity of audiovisual works on offer.

Film festivals, another essential part of film distribution and promotion, have also received a great part of the aid, as 18 festivals are to be supported. The Namur Francophone Film Festival is to receive €150,000, while the Mons Love Film Festival, the Anima Festival, and the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival are to receive up to €100,000.

Finally, in 2013, the federation is to support the important work of three school workshops, two reception workshops, and eight production workshops with €1.286m in total.

Support to almost half of the audiovisual operators will be in the form of five-year contract-programmes, a way for the Wallonia-Brussels Federation to show its will to support them sustainably long term.

(Translated from French)