14/03/2006

The Association of Bulgarian Filmmakers has launched an appeal against the sale to a non-European company of the Boyana Film Studios, the only studios in the country, which have been running for over 40 years.

Appeal backers have asked the European Union states, at the Council of Ministers of the European Commission, to act to support the film industry of a country on the verge of entering the EU, on the basis of Article 151 of the EU Treaty, which protects each member state’s expression of cultural diversity. "Disastrous privatisation is taking place in Bulgaria", states the appeal. "This sale will not only financially damage the film industry, it will subject Bulgarian and European productions to a non-European company that produces low budget and low quality action movies for the Third World Market".

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

The US company NU IMAGE signed on the acquisition of the Boyana Film Studios last January 24, after receiving approval from the Agency that oversees privatisation. The established price was €6.24m for a 95% share of the studios. Following protests by producers and directors, the matter was taken up by the Parliament, where the opposition had proposed the creation of an investigative commission to look into the sale. However, this proposal was denied, as the controversy must be resolved in the courts.

(Translated from Italian)