Czech lower house approves greater state support for filmmaking in 2016

The lower house of the Czech parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, has approved an amendment that would see an increase in state funding for filmmaking.

Under the amendment, the State Fund for the Support and Development of Cinematography would receive 350 million crowns (approx. US$14.2 million) for 2016 from the state budget, up from 220 million crowns (approx. US$8.9 million) in 2015. The level of the annual allowance would correspond to the funds collected from audiovisual fees the previous year.

The state funds are intended for the production of Czech films and their promotion both in the Czech Republic and internationally, as well as for supporting cinemas and film education.

The amendment also provides for the increased transparency of the current system of incentives, in order to attract more foreign filmmakers to the country. In addition, the call for funding bids will be open throughout the year, as opposed to only at the start of the year.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the aim of the draft legislation is to create a stable source of financial support for filmmaking. It has yet to be assessed by the upper house of parliament (Senate), but is expected to be passed into law later this year.

Source: Prague Monitor and Film New Europe