08/02/2013 - Total dedicated to sector goes down to €72.4 million, a consequence from the spending review

Italian cinema will see its allocated funds from the Fondo Unico per lo Spettacolo cut by €4 million in 2013, compared to the previous year, for a total of €72.4 million. This was one of the consequences of the government initiated spending review, which was also a consequence of the constitutional court’s order to reimburse union leaders’ wages.

The Italian culture minister Lorenzo Ornaghi (photo) said that a partial reimbursement could happen by this summer after a budget adjustment.

"Due to an absence in resources,” Agis representatives announced, “the sustainability of many businesses and their workers have been put into question. Show business, which has gone ignored, has needed financing from Fus for years. This is indispensable to reform the entire sector with incisive laws and rules which should finally lead to a simplification of relationships with public administration offices and help ease the management aspect of businesses.”

Agis is asking candidates in the upcoming elections to make their opinions known, with specific interest in proposals on financing and on support towards culture and the entertainment industry. 

(Translated from Italian)