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Wallimage: An ECOsystem at the service of the audiovisual industry

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- The Belgian fund has implemented action aimed at reducing the environmental impact of audiovisual production

Wallimage: An ECOsystem at the service of the audiovisual industry

A public limited company fully owned by Wallonia, Wallimage is the region’s audiovisual hub. It operates across four complementary areas.

Wallimage Coproductions backs audiovisual projects which are set to spend money in Wallonia, whereas Wallimage Tournages co-ordinates regional accommodation of filming. Wallimage Entreprises funds, either via capital or loans, businesses which are active in the audiovisual or gaming sectors, while the latest modest addition to the galaxy Wallimage Gaming will look to boost video game development by awarding aid to projects.

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Every year, Wallimage Coproductions invests 6.5 million Euros in films, series and documentaries - both live action and animation - put forward by Belgian producers. The works in question are either initiated in Belgium or are co-productions. In both cases the principle is the same: these projects must incur as much expenditure as possible in the region by hiring technicians and actors, by renting filming equipment or canteen services, and by making the most of local animation industry or post-production resources.

Five funding sessions are organised each year, each of which compete against the other. The Wallimage Coproductions team evaluates the dossiers they receive, organises them according to their economic interest for the region and forwards them to their decentralised advisory board, which is an offshoot of Wallimage’s board of directors. The projects deemed to be the most advantageous for Wallonia are co-financed within the limits of the available budget. From submission through to the final decision, the process takes 18 - 22 working days.

2021 Report

In 2021, Wallimage Coproductions co-financed fifty “traditional” works and four unscripted offerings. Although in recent years, series have accounted for an increasingly significant proportion of investments, fiction feature films have returned to pole position following the health crisis. France remains Wallonia’s partner of choice.

Today, animation is one of the most important cornerstones of Wallonia’s audiovisual industry, winning 27% of the aid put forward by the fund. All animation studios founded since Wallimage’s inception are now in full swing and boast very busy schedules for the coming years. New players are thriving and others are on the verge of commencing activities.

Going by the commitments made by producers, as recorded in the agreements signed at the close of each session, Wallonia’s 2021 investments will generate upwards of 42 million Euros in regional spending; in other words, a ratio multiplier of 5.67.

Green Film Wallonia

In 2021, an initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of audiovisual production was introduced. It’s an objective which the fund has been working on for almost two years.

Wallimage analysed this first year via statements of intent. From now on, they will look to introduce checks whilst reiterating their willingness to support positive initiatives.

This indispensable, ecoresponsible concern will become an increasingly important factor in future regional investments, because it is absurd to imagine the short-term economic growth of any country being prioritised at the cost of its future and without consideration of the scientifically proven environmental risk.

ECOlogical and ECOnomical… That’s the Wallimage ECOsystem in a nutshell.

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(Translated from French)

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