> read the speech by Eric Garandeau
The FFA (German Federal Film Board) and the CNC (National Center of Cinematography and the Moving Image) request that the European Commission maintain current territorial rules regarding aid for cinematographic production, until the EU reaches a unanimous decision.
At the 10th Franco-German Film Meetings, held on November 28th in Berlin, Peter Dinges, CEO of the FFA, and Eric Garandeau, President of the CNC, both shared the same message: “The competition rules must be adapted to meet the needs of the cinematographic industry, not the other way around.”
The two Presidents of national cinema aid institutions also pledged to support the search for a fast and constructive solution for European cinema.
At a meeting gathering 300 French and German cinematographic producers, Peter Dinges and Eric Garandeau argued that the European Union’s rules governing competition rights should be more flexible and more pragmatic when applied to the field of Culture. For example, the restrictions and harmonization of State aid systems as applied by the European Commission do not promote cultural diversity; rather, they challenge national and European economic and cultural goals.
Finally, the very existence of many national and regional cinema aid systems may be threatened, which already undermines producer confidence and threatens jobs in this sector. The quantity, quality, and diversity of European cinematographic production will all be impacted, unless an acceptable solution is found quickly.
photo : "Vous n’avez encore rien vu !", Alain Resnais © StudioCanal
