16/01/2008

French film producers have protested at President Sarkozy’s plans to ban advertising on state television channels. Following the example of the BLIC (Film Industry Liaison Office), UPF (Union of Film Producers), SPI (Union of Independent Producers) and SACD (Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers), the APC (Association of Film Producers) has in turn expressed its concern in a letter to the president. Reminding him that "the public sector is a cornerstone of financing and exhibition…for French cinema [whose] task it is to support and promote the quality and diversity of independent film production”, the APC underlines “the current lack of investment". Until now, France Télévisions were obliged to pre-finance European films using 3.2% of their turnover (€52.9m in 2007 for 51 French features co-produced and pre-bought) and they pledged to broadcast 360 films per year on France 2 and France 3. A new agreement signed in December was set to increase financing to 3.5% of turnover by 2010 and the number of films broadcast to a minimum of 420.

The President’s proposal to replace advertising revenues (€830m per year) by an as yet unspecified taxation on the turnover of private TV channels (who will benefit from the transfer of advertising investments), mobile telephone operators and Internet access providers leaves producers feeling doubtful. The APC adds: "We don’t understand how it will be possible to achieve this objective using the new financing mechanisms to which you refer", as they urge Sarkozy to reconsider whether it is a wise proposal if the financial means are lacking.

(Translated from French)