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INDUSTRY Sweden

New Swedish film agreement between state and industry: Too little money

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Although the new Swedish three-year agreement between the government and the film industry will pour an additional €3.4 million into the support system, the budget is far from sufficient, says Svensk Filmindustri AB President Rasmus Ramstad.

”Compared to the other Nordic countries, and to make this work, the state’s contribution should be €10-15 million higher than its current €22.4 million,” explained Ramstad. ”Otherwise I welcome the 60% increase of the budget for measures against piracy; the emphasis on backing children’s films; more efforts to be selected for competition in Berlin and Cannes; and the signature on the agreement by another TV station, SBS TV.”

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Although Swedish films can now get public funding although aimed at – not theatrical - but DVD or digital distribution, neither the DVD trade nor the broadband operators signed or will contribute to the voluntary agreement allocating €42.6 million for Swedish cinema.

Part of the extra money is earmarked for television drama, films for children and young audiences, shorts and documentaries in the contract, which outlines goals such as upping theatrical admissions, achieving the largest local market share for all windows in the Nordic countries, equally supporting men and women filmmakers, and competing at Berlin and Cannes, and be represented at the ten world’s top ten festivals.

Managing Director Anna Serner (pictured), of the Swedish Film Institute which will execute the contract, was not happy losing €2.5 million subsidy for feature-film production ”but by and large I am happy with the positive changes. The goals are all relevant,” she added.

For the first time, Sweden’s regional film centres were among the signatories. ”We have for a long time expressed the need of a modern and offensive policy which can improve Swedish film’s position both locally and internationally. In the new agreement both public and artistic targets are more specific and progressive,” said Trollhättan’s Film i Väst Managing Director Tomas Eskilsson, adding that was still "strongly underfinanced".

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