17/03/2006

The television networks maintained their crucial role in the financing of French cinema with 29.5% of the €933.67m invested in the 187 features initiated in France (FIF) and financed last year.

According to the 2005 data compiled by the National Film Centre (CNC), there was, however, a slight decrease in terms of allocation, while support from distributors is up 9.7% and video companies, 3.1%. Public funding from the CNC represented 9.2% (6.3% in automatic aid and 2.9% in selective aid, with €20.96m coming in the form of advance in receipts for the 58 FIF), foreign investment 10.3% and French producers, 33.8%. Lastly, the Sofica (finance companies for the cinema and audiovisual industry) tax benefit system covered 3.1% of budgets, and regional aid increased gradually by 1.3%.

The leader was without a doubt television, with Canal + putting up €115.24m for 106 accredited FIF in 2005, pre-acquiring 57% of films that were 100% French or majority co-productions, including the acquisition of 35 first features. The pay-TV broadcaster also invested €10.8m in 14 minority French co-productions. TPS Cinéma financed 45 films (among them 38 FIF) for a grand total of €34.06m, while Ciné Cinéma spent €11.90m on 67 films.

The terrestrial networks put up €119.45m in 2005 (€81.46m in pre-sales and €37.99m in co-production) for 99 films. TF1 dominated this sector, investing €46.65m in 20 films, followed by France 2 (€29.71m in 32 features), France 3 (€24.21m for 27 films), M6 (€12.63m for 9 films) and Arte (€6.25m for 17 films). The networks further invested €12.4m in 15 non-French language European features in 2005.

Finally, the various financial sources available for French cinema contributed to 69 debut features and 34 second features, making up approximately 55% of the 187 financed films initiated in France in 2005.

(Translated from French)