06/04/2011

As every year, Fadila Laanan (Culture and Audiovisual Minister), Frédéric Delcor (Secretary General of the Belgian French Community and Head of the CCA - Film and Audiovisual Centre) and the presidents of the different sections of the Film Selection Committee invited Belgian professionals to an annual report meeting in order to present their activities of the past year.

It was an opportunity to announce some positive figures, starting with the 25% increase in admissions for majority Francophone Belgian films, with 400,000 viewers. This comes at a good time, for the distribution of Francophone Belgian films among local audiences was a central concern this year. Keen to strengthen the reputation of these films, the CCA thus worked on several strategic axes, by restructuring its promotion and distribution funding, and by teaming up with professionals to create the Magritte Film Awards.

The CCA also carried out an in-depth study into the financing sources for production. For the 28 features backed in 2010 for a total of €176m in investment, about 30% of the funding (i.e. €53m) came from Belgium (€93m came from France). Of the Belgian contribution, 33% came from the Tax Shelter, 21% from the CCA, 14.3% from international sales and 11% from Wallimage.

These figures show the complementarity of the different subsidies available in Francophone Belgium, as well as Belgium’s attractiveness as a European co-production platform. There has also been a rise in co-productions with Germany, which is gradually becoming a regular partner. This should lead to new discussions about the bilateral co-production agreement between Germany and Belgium.

An enhanced reputation, rising audience figures, international attractiveness: it’s official, cinema is thriving in Francophone Belgium.

(Translated from French)