07/04/2011

At this time of the annual Belgian film industry reports (see news), we may also wonder what the future holds for here is still work to be done on the reputation front. Moreover, new tools will be launched, including the Documentary Platform, an internal promotional initiative aimed at alternative distribution circuits that will make it possible to reach out to new audiences. The promotion and distribution funding systems, which merged in 2010, should hit their stride in 2011.

Production support is also undergoing a major overhaul, with the restructuring of the Film Selection Committee. In particular, a fixed amount will be introduced for grants and funding will be shared out on a strict basis.

Therefore, every year €350,000 in production funding for features will go to 10 films for the first college (debut and second works), and six for the second college (established directors). The committee will back a minimum of six minority projects per year, allocating €100,000 to each. Finally, the joint committee bringing together the CCA (Film and Audiovisual Centre) and the VAF (Flemish Audiovisual Fund) will support four projects (over last year’s three) with €112,500.

Another crucial issue for production are the Tax Shelter discussions: Francophone and Dutch-speaking colleagues will have to work together to propose a reform of the system. In these times of budgetary austerity, some believe that the Tax Shelter – which helped raise over €75m in 2009 and is expected to break more records for 2010 – doesn’t have a strong enough structuring effect on the Belgian audiovisual sector and they question its utility.

The groundswell of digital development is also a focus of attention. Although the CCA doesn’t have the necessary budget to support small theatres in their transition to digital, this issue will nevertheless be at the centre of European and regional discussions.

Finally, Minister Fadila Laanan repeated her desire to support the underlying currents that feed into the globalised audiovisual industry. After funding strategies for low-cost and experimental films are launched, attention will soon turn to web documentaries and new writing for television, in order to re-boost production of TV films and series.

(Translated from French)