CHPC Committee Report

Main agency for strategic direction and public funding of UK film industry.

Works closely with three national film agencies and nine regional screen agencies.

Total Budget

£55 million
(2005-2006)

Development Fund

£4 million
(2005-2006)

New Cinema Fund

£5million
(2005-2006)

Premiere Fund

£8 million
(2005-2006)

Print & Advertising Fund

£2 million
(2005-2006)

Audience Development Scheme

£1 million
(2005-2006)

Digital Screen Network

£14 million
(2005-2006)

Digital Fund for Non-Theatrical Exhibition

£500,000
(2005-2006)

Cinema Access

£500,000
(2005-2006)

Publications Fund

£100,000
(2004-05)

International Festival Sales Support

£90,000
(2005-2006)

Training Fund

£6.5 million
(2005-2006)

Regional Investment fund for England

£7.5 million
(2005-2006)

Development Fund to enhance the quality of UK screenplays.  Seed funding, partnership funding and pre-pre-production funding is available for single projects.  The fund also offers slate funding deals for responses to open tenders and a fixed sum of £10,000 or less to develop a draft script of a particular genre.

New Cinema Fund to support innovative, “cutting edge” filmmaking.  Particular commitment to work from the regions, and from ethnic minorities.  Provides 15-50%
of a film’s budget by way of equity investment.

Premiere Fund to support popular, commercially viable films.  Aims to nurture film expertise and sustainable UK film businesses.  Provides up to 35% of a film’s budget by way of equity investment.

Print & Advertising Fund to support distributors for extra prints and advertising for films.

Audience Development Scheme offers support to an organization to develop and manage a program to cultivate the audience’s appreciation of specialized film.

Digital Screen Network to broaden the range of films available to audiences.  Provides funding for cinemas to acquire digital
projection equipment in return for devoting an amount of screen time to specialized films.

Digital fund for Non-Theatrical Exhibition to expand activities of film clubs and societies to bring
new viewing experiences to small communities.

Cinema Access Programme Provides funding for a series of initiatives to help the industry increase access to popular and specialized films for people with disabilities.

International Festival Sales Support to enhance the promotional opportunities for UK films at key international film festivals.

Publications Fund aimed at supporting film related publications that encourage knowledge
of and debate about
film culture.

Training Fund provides grants to individuals and organizations seeking to receive or provide
film training.

Regional Investment Fund for England Disburses funds to the nine regional screen agencies in England.  Some funds for production, exhibition, training, audience and archive development are available through these agencies.

Derives most of
its funding from the Scottish Executive’s Education Department.

Production & Development

£2.9 million
(2002-03)

Training

£555,000
(2002-03)

Scottish Screen National Lottery Fund – Script Development makes funds available to companies for the early stages of development.  Maximum award of £25,000 or 90% of total development budget.

Scottish Screen National Lottery Fund – Project Development makes funds available for companies for the advanced stages of development.  Maximum award of £25,000 or
75% of total development budget.

Scottish Screen National Lottery Fund – Feature Film Production makes funds available for the production
of feature length films.  Maximum award of £500,000 or 25% or total production budget.

Fast Forward Features for films
that display or connect with Scotland today.  Will award £1.2 million to three films over three years.

Scottish Students on Screen is a national screen festival for students aimed at bringing students and film industry together.  Scottish Screen also runs
a training course.

The Writer’s Factory Screenwriting Programme is an intensive screenwriting course designed to develop and support the skills of Scotland’s screenwriters.

Main body for the development of the media sector in Wales.

Total Budget

£2,116,000
(2002-03)

Lottery Film Fund

£1,300,000
(2002-03)

Grants

£578,000

Lottery Funded Features seeks to encourage both the development and production of feature film with significant Welsh elements.  Provides script development awards of up to £7,000 or 75% of eligible costs Provides feature film production awards of up to £250,000 or 50%
of eligible costs.

Welsh Micros supports micro-budget feature films made in Wales (£400,000 or less). 
Awards £200,000 or 50%
of eligible costs.

Sgrin Script Breakfast allows screenwriters in the first stages of script writing to meet and obtain advice from industry professionals.

Sgrin Script Doctor provides screenwriters with detailed reports
on their scripts from industry professionals.

Cinema Exhibition Support Fund provides £1,000 to cinemas or film societies to devise and implement a cultural programme to raise public awareness of film and film culture from Wales and around the world.

Sgrin Cymru Wales Publication Fund to support publications that educate the public about film and film culture.  Provides awards of up
to £2,000.

Agency aims to accelerate the development of a sustainable film and television industry in Northern Ireland.

Total Budget

£2,900,000

NI Film Production Fund

£1,700,000
(2003-04)

NIFTC Lottery Fund

£737,000
(2003-04)

Marketing, Festivals
& Conferences Fund

£50,000
(2003-04)

Company Development Fund

£284,000
(2003-04)

Company Development Fund to provide Northern Ireland based production companies with financial assistance to support growth.  Available is up to £3,000 or 50% of total budget to prepare an initial business plan, and an annual operating grant of up to £80,000 or 40% of total budget for an agreed business strategy.

Northern Ireland Film Production Fund invests in films that have a strong cultural relevance to Northern Ireland and are primarily produced in Northern Ireland.  Provides investment of between £150,000 and £600,000 or up to 25% of costs.

Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission Lottery Fund to increase the overall level of moving image production in Northern Ireland.  For feature film:  up to £40,000 or 50% of development costs is available for project development.  Up to £150,000 or 50% of production costs is available for pre-production, production and post-production.  For documentaries with cultural relevance to Northern Ireland:  £40,000 or 50% is available for development and varying levels of support are available for production.

Markets, Festivals & Conferences Fund to assist Northern Irish talent with financial support to attend markets, festival, and conferences to connect with the industry.

Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission Lottery Fund makes funding available for distribution and promotion. 
Up to £5,000 or 10% of production costs per film.

Skills Development Bursary Fund to assist Northern Irish talent to participate in industry recognized training and development courses.  Bursaries are available for up to £1,000 or 50% of the applicant’s total budget.

Film and Television Creative Entrepreneur Programme is intended to improve the business skills of small film and television production companies in Belfast.  The programme is conducted through a series of meetings and workshops.

Agency responsible for the overall direction of cultural programming in Taiwan, including film.

Domestic Film
Guidance Fund

US$3.1 million (2003)

Screenwriting Awards

US$95,000 (2001)

Domestic Screen Exhibition

US$315,000 (2001)

Industry Development

US$787,000 (2001)

Domestic Film Guidance Fund is the key government programme for supporting the domestic film industry.  Its aim is to help the industry produce high quality films with high production standards.  Provides production subsidies of up to US$432,000 per film or 50%
of budget.

In order to foster domestic screenwriting talent and encourage the production of high quality scripts, the GIO offers and award of US$9,500 to ten selected scripts
each year.

To promote the screening of domestic films, the GIO has made funds available for cinemas to form theatre networks that will exclusively screen domestic films.

To promote domestic films on the international stage, the GIO has made funds available for filmmakers to participate in international film festivals.

In order to contribute to the development of a sound domestic film industry, the GIO makes funds available for production companies to upgrade their equipment.

A government-supported, self-administered body that seeks to promote and support Korean films both in Korea and abroad.

Part of the Council’s funds is derived from a tax on the sale of cinema tickets.

Total Budget

US$52 million
(2004-05)

Fiction Film Script Contest held twice a year, awards a grand prize of US$20,000 and two runner-up prizes of US$8,700 each, to outstanding scripts.  The Overseas Korean Script Contest awards a grand prize of US$8,700 and two runner-up prizes of US$4,200 to outstanding scripts written by overseas Koreans.

Development Support Program for Fiction Films held twice a year, with a total of 10 outstanding plans or scripts for feature fiction films chosen per year.  Seven projects financial support of US$8,700 each, while three projects receive US$26,000 each.

Production Support Program for Art Films selects aesthetically promising live-action or animated films to provide with financial support.  Up to 5 films per year are chosen by committee to receive US$350,000 or a maximum of 50% of production costs.

Production Support Program for Independent Films provides grants with no provisions for recovery to selected independent films shot on digital video.  US$17,400 or 50% of production costs, awarded twice per year.

Production Support for Independent Digital Feature Film Fund selects 3 feature-length digital works per year and provides them with up to US$44,000 per film prior to the start of shooting.

Loans For Collateral Program provides loans to producers of feature or animated films using the film rights as collateral.  A maximum of US$870,000, or 70% of production costs is available for producers of distributors who are having trouble covering production, distribution or other costs.

Development Support Program for Feature Animation provides US$43,000 to support the production of pilot films for feature-length animated films in development, up to two projects per year.  The Production Support for Feature Animation provides one film per year with US$700,000 or 50% of the total production costs.  Production Support for Independent Animation provides US$17,400 or up to 80% of a film’s budget for independently produced animated works.  The Film Conversion Support Fund for Independent Animation is held twice a year, and supports the cost of transferring independent animation to film prints, with up to US$78,000 budgeted in total.

DVD Production Support Program supports the release of independent short and feature-length films on DVD, in order to expand the market for these commercially disadvantaged works.  Twice a year, the Council will support the release of ten discs through a commercial DVD distributor (2000 copies per release).  Each disc will be subtitled in Korean, English, Japanese, French, and Chinese.

Marketing Support for Art Films Program provides six live-action or animated films with US$87,000 each to support print and advertising costs.

Marketing Support for Digital Films Program, provides three digital films with US$35,000 each.  A jury will select films based on their artistic quality, their chance of securing a theatrical release, and their need for marketing support.

Projection Support for Feature-Length Digital Films Program provides US$26,000 to three films per year to finance the screening of films through digital projection systems.  Money granted need not be returned.

Loans For Collateral Program provides loans to producers of feature or animated films using the film rights as collateral. 
A maximum of US$870,000, or 70% of production costs is available for producers of distributors who are having trouble covering production, distribution or other costs.

Loans for Screening Facilities Program provides theatre owners with up to 70% of the total cost of repairs or additions to theatre facilities.  Up to US$440,000 is provided per screen, with a maximum of three projects or US$1.3m.

Support for Regional Media Centres supports the establishment of media centres throughout Korea to help support the development of cinema in regional areas outside of the capital.  Up to US$260,000 will be provided per establishment.

Korean Film Marketing Support Fund to assist film companies with marketing their products overseas and to promote the further recognition of Korean films abroad.

Art Plus Cinema Network to provide a better distribution environment for art films of all nationalities the Council has introduced the ArtPlus Cinema Network, a collection of theatres nationwide that specialize in screening arthouse cinema.  Participating theatres receive a yearly cash grant US$47,000 to $67,000 in return for screening arthouse films for 3/5 of the year.  The Network also works jointly to promote the films they show.

Korean Film Investment Union Financing Project contributes funds to investment unions which invest more than 50% of capital in a given fund in Korean films.  Companies must take a compounded primary allowance loss of more than 20%, and the standard internal rate of return should be at least 8%.  The Council will provide up to 20% of total capital or US$1.7m in qualifying investment unions.

Support for Subtitles, Translation & Print Production selected films which are judged to have potential in overseas markets or at international film festivals are provided with an English-language translation and a laser-subtitled print.

Aims to ensure the continuity of production and availability of Irish films to home and international audiences.

Provides loans and equity investment to independent Irish film-makers to assist in the development and production of Irish films.

Acts in co-operation with other Irish semi-state agencies to improve the marketing, sales and distribution of Irish films and to promote training and development.

Total Budget

€14 million
(2005)

Development Loans for Feature Length Fiction Films to encourage talented teams and individual writers in order to foster distinctive visions and projects that seek to reach a broad international audience.  Non-equity development loans are offered up to a maximum of €35,000 at any one time and €75,000 cumulatively for any one project.  Writer-only loans are also offered, up to a maximum of €10,000.

Production Loans for Feature Length Fiction Films to encourage both talented directors with distinctive voices and commercial films that want to connect with a broad range of audiences.  Designed as recoupable loan-equity participation.  It has an investment cap per project of €750K.

Low Budget Initiative & Micro Budget Loans to encourage indigenous feature film projects with lower budgets.  Loans are available for low budget and micro-budget films.  For films with budgets of under €1m, the Irish film Board will provide up to 60% of total budget.

Revolving Pre-Production Fund to address the demand for pre-production cash flow on Irish Film Board co-financed projects, where there is a time-lag in cash flow as a result of financing and legal arrangements.  Loans are available to a maximum of €150,000 or 50% of the amount of the Irish Film Board Production Loan.

Regional Film &TV Fund to encourage Irish filmmakers to shoot features and large drama productions in all parts of the country.  This fund is designed to work by offsetting a proportion of additional production costs incurred by shooting in regional areas of Ireland.  Loans to a maximum of €125,000 are available from this fund.

Test Screening Programmeto ensure Irish feature films reach both Irish and international audiences.  To this end a free test screening service is available to assist producers and distributors conduct impartial test screening(s) for their feature film.  Provides producers and distributors with free access to an experienced facilitator, projectionist and
a cinema.

Print Support Loan makes funds available to Irish directors, producers and production companies for prints pending their acceptance in a recognized international film festival.

Print & Advertising Support Loan available for distributors who are distributing independent Irish films in Ireland.  Irish Film Board will consider matching up to 50% of the distributor’s financial investment in marketing and releasing a film theatrically in Ireland.

Support the production of distinctively
New Zealand feature films which play to large New Zealand audiences and generate returns on investment-both cultural and financial.

Total Budget

NZ$22.6 million
(2004-05)

Features Development

NZ$2.3 million
(2004-05)

Features Production

NZ$13.5 million
(2004-05)

Talent Development

NZ$2.4 million
(2004-05)

Resource & Industry Support

NZ$1.3 million
(2004-05)

Marketing

NZ$1.2 million
(2004-05)

Single Project Development loans are available for New Zealand producers.  Early-stage projects may be awarded up to a maximum of NZ$30,000.  Projects judged to have genuine production potential may be awarded up to NZ$100,000.  The Commission considers applications for advanced development, packaging and financing for projects nearing production, up to a maximum of NZ$150,000 total development funding.

Producers Devolved Development Fund makes loans available for experienced feature film producers with substantial credits.  Up to NZ$150,000 can be given for a
two year period for use on writers
and script development.

Producer Overhead Fund is for producers with at lease one successful feature film credit.  A grant of up to NZ$100,000 can be given for a two year period for use on overhead costs associated with script and project development.

Feature Production Financing for the production of quality films that will appeal to diverse audiences in
New Zealand and abroad.  Provides equity investment with no set maximum amount.

Post Production Fund provides equity investment for digital feature films requiring post-production for either a film or a digital finish.  Documentary features requiring post-production financing.  Feature films shot on film requiring post-production financing.

Digital Film Fund seeks to encourage a new generation of maverick New Zealand filmmakers using the digital medium.  The Commission seeks to support at least four highly original digital features in the next two years.  Budgets are individual to projects.

Large Budget Grant Scheme to provide an additional financial incentive for the production of both foreign and domestic large budget films in New Zealand.  Grants a sum totalling 12.5% of the Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure that the applicant has spent on an eligible screen production.  Grant can cover all aspects of the creative process from development through to marketing and promotion.

Large Budget Grant Scheme to provide an additional financial incentive for the production of both foreign and domestic large budget films in New Zealand.  Grants a sum totalling 12.5% of the Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure that the applicant has spent on an eligible screen production.  Grant can cover all aspects of the creative process from development through to marketing and promotion.

Producers Market Assistance makes loans available to assist producers to attend major international film market events, NZ$5,000-$7,500.

Festivals & Awards Programme provides financial assistance towards the costs of running film festivals or awards events.  Festivals must provide the public with a diverse selection of feature film programming that encourages debate and gives opportunities to new talent.  Award events will need to recognize excellence and reward achievement in feature film production.

Each year the Commission offers various professional development programs
for screenwriters.

Industry Infrastructure Programme makes financing available to professional film resource organizations that foster skill development and enhancement within the film industry and participate in the development and dissemination of film
culture in New Zealand.

Administers the New Zealand Film Fund and operates independent of the New Zealand Film Commission.

Film Fund has
NZ$22 million to invest in eight to ten films prior to
30 June 2008.

New Zealand Film Fund to help create jobs for New Zealand writers, actors, and production staff, and to help maintain New Zealand’s place in the international film industry. 
An equity investment or loan of up to NZ$2.5 million is available for the production of films by New Zealand filmmakers with significant
New Zealand content.

Acts to promote German cinema and to improve the structure of the German film industry, to support the national economic affairs of the film industry in Germany, and improve the foundations for the distribution and marketing of German cinema as well to work towards an alignment and coordination of the film support measures by the Federal Government and regional states.

The film board raises funds through a tax on the sale of cinema tickets and a tax on the sale of videos and DVDs.

The German Federal Film Board works closely with a number of regional film agencies.  Those with significant budgets are:

FilmFernseh-Fonds Bayern which operates in Bavaria with an annual budget of
€32 million and runs a full range of funding programmes from project development to exhibition.

Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen operates in North Rhine-Westphalia with an annual budget of
€33 million, and runs a full range of funding programmes.

Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg has an annual budget of €17 million and runs programs to support project and script development, production, distribution and sales.

Total Budget

€76 million
(annual)

Production Funding
for Features

€27.8 million
(2004)

Scriptwriting Scheme

€673,000
(2004)

Distribution Funding
for Features

€6.9 million
(2004)

Exhibition Funding Scheme

€10.4 million
(2004)

Additional Prints

€945,000
(2004)

Funding of Video Distributors

€2.3 million
(2004)

Marketing & Promotion

€14.9 million
(2004)

Production Funding for Feature Films offers two different types of funding:  Automatic funding according to the “reference” principle where a producer is entitled to subsidy as a grant to produce a new film if he has produced a German film which has reached
150,000 “reference” points.  The “reference” points are calculated from both the commercial success as well as the success at internationally significant festivals and awards. 
Up to €2 million or 50% of costs.  Selective funding according to the project principle grants project funding as an interest-fee loan if the film can improve the quality and profitability of German cinema.  The project funding can amount as a rule to €250,000, and up to €1m in individual cases.

Scriptwriting Scheme grants of up to €25,000, in exceptional cases up to €50,000, for the development of screenplays for full-length feature films.  A maximum of €30,000 can
be granted for further development of a screenplay.

Distribution Funding for Feature Films offers two different types of funding:  Automatic funding according to the reference principle where distribution companies are granted funding support as a subsidy for the distribution of a film for German films which have reached 100,000 “reference” points. 
The “reference” points are calculated from both commercial success as well as success at internationally important festivals and prizes.  The amount of funds awarded is considered on a case by case basis.  Selective funding according to the project principle grants funding support for the distribution or export of films as interest-free loans or as grants.  The maximum amounts vary depending on the particular measure.  The maximum amounts for loans range between €150,000 and €600,000, for grants up to €100,000.

Exhibition Funding Scheme offers two different types of funding:  Automatic funding according to the reference principle which provides calculated grant support for all of the exhibitors who pay/have paid the film levy.  Amount of funds awarded is considered on a case by case basis.  Selective funding according to the project principle offers interest-free loans of up to €200,000 for the improvement of cinemas.  The loan may increase up to €300,000 if an overall assessment of the project and the level of the anticipated costs justify this.  The loans have duration of ten years.

Funding of Additional Prints is intended to enhance the admissions in cinemas placed in locations and areas with less than 20,000 inhabitants.  Makes grants available for the production of additional prints.

Funding of Video Distributors makes interest-free loans of up to €600,000 available to German entertainment companies for the distribution of recorded video carriers of German films, particularly the meeting of release costs, for extraordinary and/or exemplary marketing measures or the production of foreign language versions.

Funding of vocational training for film professions makes grants available for the purpose of vocational training of new artistic, technical and commercial recruits to the industry.

The CNC manages state financial support for the film industry, television, and audiovisual industry.

Approximately half of the CNC budget goes to support television works.

Support is generally delivered in two forms:  automatic aid and selective aid.

The CNC derives its funds from government appropriations, a tax on the sale of cinema tickets and a tax on broadcaster’s advertising revenues.

France also has about 36 small regional film agencies which typically offer very limited programmes and have budgets of less than €500,000.

Total Budget

€490,960,000
(2004)

Distribution of Films
for Young Audiences

€230,700
(2004)

First Script Trophy

€61,000
(2004)

Development of
Feature Films

€2.7 million
(2004)

Re-issuing Classic Films and/or Retrospectives

€383,000
(2004)

Modernization and Construction of Cinemas

€10 million
(2004)

Scriptwriting

€520,000
(2004)

Research and Development

€3.1 million
(2004)

French-Canadian Co-producers

€762,000
(2004)

‘Looking at’ Scheme

€64,000
(2004)

Experimental Production

€1,006,000 million
(2004)

Production of Feature Films

€53.7 million
(2004)

Advance on Receipts

€23,160,000
(2004)

Production of Foreign Language Films

€670,000
(2004)

Distribution of Films from Lesser Known Cinematographic Traditions

€375,000
(2004)

Independent Distribution Companies

€945,000
(2004)

Automatic support
for Distribution

€14.2 million
(2004)

Selective Support for Development of Feature Films supports production companies in the different writing stages, optioning and acquisition of rights, writing and script development and research.  This film must be in French or an indigenous language still spoken in France.

Selective Support for Research and Development encourages co-operation and technology transfer between research laboratories and multimedia, television and cinema production companies, and supports their in-house research and development.

Selective Support for French-Canadian Co-producers aims to support feature film projects which benefit both countries and contribute to the quality of film production.  Maximum €381,097 in repayable advances awarded to individual projects.

‘Looking at’ Scheme supports the production of documentaries about the cinema, television, or multimedia, and acquires documentaries about these subjects.  The maximum granted to individual projects is €7,623, and at least 50% of the budget must be furnished by the producer.

Selective Support for Experimental Production shares the risk of producers using innovative technologies or specially developed processes in the production of their work.  The award is based on expenses from the use or development of new production techniques, and is limited to 20% of the cost.

Automatic Support for Production of Feature Films supports production by established French film producers.  The maximum allocated to individual projects is 50% of the budget, up
to €304,878.

Selective Support for Production of Foreign Language Films aid the production of foreign language feature films by prominent French or foreign directors.

Selective Support for Scriptwriting is a subsidy that supports the writing of new scripts and the further development of existing ones.

Advance on Receipts encourages first films and independent film-making, which would not be viable without public support.  The maximum award for individual projects is €457,000.

Selective Support for the Distribution of Films for Young Audiences permits renewal and diversification of the offer of films for young audiences, and cannot exceed 50%
of distributor’s expenses.

Support for re-issuing Classic Films and/or Retrospectives supports reissuing films at least 20 years old, not in cinema for at least 10 years, and also supports retrospectives. 
The support is a subsidy.

Selective Support for Exhibitors for the Modernization and Construction of Cinemas in Rural Areas encourages the creation and modernization of cinemas in insufficiently served areas, in particular in rural areas and the suburbs of large cities.

Selective Support for Independent Distribution Companies helps distribution companies that actively promote a varied offer of films in cinemas.  The support is capped at 50% of the distributor’s costs.

Automatic Support for Distribution aids distributors and is granted on a sliding scale calculated according to box-office receipts of the film in cinemas.

Selective Support for the Distribution of Films from Lesser Known Cinematographic Traditions contributes to the discovery and distribution of quality works originating in countries whose cinema is not well known in France.  This support comes in the form of repayable advances, which shall not exceed €30,487 for individual projects.

First Script Trophy identifies and encourages new talent with personalized support.

Intended to promote country-wide access to cinema.  To encourage diversity of cinemas, films and audiences and to maintain and develop local cinemas.

Total Budget

€3.9 million
(2005)

Additional Prints

€2.4 million
(2005)

Classic Films

€193,000
(2005)

Support for Renovation provides architectural and environmental advice for the renovation of cinemas.

Support for the Production of Additional Prints provides a subsidy to facilitate access to films by funding the making of additional prints.  Intended for exhibitors in small and medium sized towns and special measures exist for films classed as ‘Art and Experimental Cinema.’

Support for Classic Films provides a small subsidy for the exhibition of classic films distributed by French companies.

Funded through the Ministry of the French Community of Belgium.

Supports the film and television industry in the French speaking Belgian community.

Total Budget

€8.6 million
(2004)

Production

€5.9 million
(2004)

Script Writing

€212,500
(2004)

Distribution

€412,000
(2004)

Promotion

€275,400
(2004)

Commission des Sélection des Films makes production aids available in the form of refundable advances, reimbursed according to the net funds from the exploitation of the film.

Aid is available for writing of individual projects up to a maximum of €12,500.  The money is awarded as a non-recoverable subsidy.

Distribution Support is available for films recognized as Belgian.  A grant of 35% of the total receipts is awarded; 10% to the distributor and 25% to the producer.

Promotion Aid is available. 
A feature film is eligible for this aid if it has been supported by the Commission de Sélection des Films de la Communauté française de Belgique and/or the Fonds Spécial de la RTBF (French Language Broadcaster in Belgium).

Funded through the Flemish government to develop a sustainable Flemish audiovisual industry, to encourage and support upcoming audiovisual talent and to promote a vibrant audiovisual culture in Flanders.

Total Budget

€12.5 million
(annual)

Production

€9.7 million
(annual)

Training

€1 million
(annual)

Support for Production makes funding of up to 50% of the total production budget available to filmmakers within the Flemish community.  78% of the Flemish Audiovisual Fund’s annual budget goes to support production.

Support for Scriptwriting is available to encourage the development of creative and original scripts.  Maximum of €12,500 is available.

Support for Development & Pre-Production is available through a financing arrangement of up to 50% of the total development budget.

Support for Promotion is available through a financing arrangement of up to 50% of the total promotional budget.

The Flemish Audiovisual Fund grants scholarships, finances professional training and supports/organizes workshops.  It focuses on international projects and allows young filmmakers to gain experience and confidence in filmmaking.

The fund aims to help to support and strengthen the activities of audiovisual professionals in the Wallonia region.  The underlying philosophy of the Fund is to have a structuring effect on Wallonia’s fledgling audiovisual industry.

Total Budget

€3.1 million (2003)

Finance for Audiovisual works Produced by Walloon Production Companies makes a loan available for any type of audiovisual work produced by a production company based in Wallonia.  The loan covers 66% of the costs incurred within Wallonia, up to €500,000.

Finance for Production Companies or Services in the Walloon Audiovisual Industry makes capital investments in existing or start-up audiovisual companies in Wallonia.  The maximum investment can be up to 40% of the company’s capital.  Long term loans are also available at a preferential rate of no lower than
3% per annum.

The major agency responsible for the development of Australian film.  Hence, its programs for feature film are mostly aimed at the development stages of the value chain, while the Australian
Film Finance Corporation
(see below) is the major agency for supporting the production of feature film.

Australia has six state level film agencies funded by the state governments:

New South Wales Film Office has a total budget of A$7.6 million
(2002-03).  It has programs to support development, production, a young filmmakers fund, and support for industry and audience development.

Pacific film and Television Commission (Queensland) has a total budget of A$5.7 million
(2002-03).  It has programs to support development, production, industry development and marketing.

South Australian Film Corporation has a total
budget of
A$5.3 million
(2002-03).  It has programs to support development, production, industry development and practitioner development.

Screen Tasmania has a total budget of A$1 million
(2002-03).  It is programs for development, production and promotion.

Film Victoria has a total budget of A$12.4 million
(2002-03).  It supports programs for development, production, audience development, and professional development.

Screen West (Western Australia) has a total budget of A$2.3 million
(2002-03).  It supports programs for development, production, marketing, professional development, and screen culture.

In 2002-03 the Australian state level film agencies spent a total of AUD
$43.6 million.  Of this amount,
$14.5 was for production,
$4.8 was for development, and $3.4 was for professional development.

Total Budget

$19 million
(annual)

Drama Development

$1.9 million
(annual)

Drama Production

$5.6 million
(annual)

Documentary Development

$670,000
(annual)

Documentary Production

$1.5 million
(annual)

General Development Investment

$1.3 million
(annual)

Professional Development
(fellowships etc.)

$160,000
(annual)

Marketing Loans

$200,000
(annual)

Industry & Cultural Development Funding Program

$3.1 million
(annual)

Indigenous Unit

$400,000
(annual)

New Screenwriters Program to identify new and promising writers and give them an opportunity to develop a screenplay.  Awards up to A$10,000 for features.

Seed Feature Funding to support produced drama writers at the early stages of feature projects.  Funding of up to A$20,000 is available for a first draft script.

Draft Drama Funding to support the development of features and other types of projects.  Funding of up to A$18,000 is available for the creation of a next draft of a feature script.

Matched Investment Funding
to encourage the financial participation of third parties in the development stages of a project.  Provides up to A$50,000 dependent on equal investment from a third party.  Can be used to fund a range of development activities.

Draft Funding to support the further development of feature projects from more experienced filmmakers.  Funding of up to A$30,000 is available for the creation of a next draft script from an existing draft.

SPARK Script Development Program aims to broaden the quality, range and ambition of Australian feature projects.  The intention is to develop scripts from experienced writers and help get these scripts in to production.  Provides an intensive workshop with industry professionals.

Writer Fellowships to assist writers who have reviewed significant local or international awards to develop a new feature screenplay.  Funding of up to A$40,000 is available for the creation of a first draft script and several revised drafts.

Indivision Development Program aims to support the development, production and promotion of low-budget, innovative, “cutting-edge” features.  The program has several strands:  Indivision Project Lab
& Script Development provides a high-level professional workshop for six to eight creative teams, with leading local and international advisers on script, performance and cinematic storytelling.  Several teams may be selected for script development funding of up to A$12,000.  Indivision Single Draft Script Development provides up to A$20,000 for a single draft script.

Indivision Low-Budget Feature Production to support the production of innovative low-budget features.  Production is funded primarily to assist in the professional development of directors and the writers and producers with whom they work.  It is designed to extend the professional development opportunities available for film and television practitioners through production and post-production investment in feature films with budgets not exceeding
$2 million.  The Australian Film Commission generally contributes up to A$1 million.

Documentary Early Development to assist documentary practitioners in the early development of pitching materials to enable them to attract marketplace development or production finance or support.  Up to A$5,000 is available.

Documentary Development
to support the development
of outstanding documentary projects.  Funding of between A$15,000 and $25,000 is available for a detailed script or treatment and pitching materials to raise production finance.

Shooting time-Critical Material supports the shooting at short notice of time-critical material integral to the success of a project, in order to attract finance.  Up to A$15,000 is available.

Documentary Production provides professional development opportunities for documentary practitioners through the production or post-production of outstanding projects.  Between A$85,000 and $100,000 is available for production and/or post-production.

General Development Investment supports experienced practitioners who are developing and financing projects, by providing ongoing funding for infrastructure and development slates.  Funding of up to A$70,000 is available for a new business strategy to generate a cash flow stream; the development of a slate of two or more projects from story outline stage onwards, including option payments, writer’s fees, script editor’s fees, script printing expenses etc; the costs associated with financing such projects; infrastructure or running costs, including overheads, staff salaries, day-to-day and out-of-pocket expenses etc.

Short-Term Development Investment Facility to provide development investment at short notice without the usual assessment process.  This investment is provided on the basis that the project is likely to be financed in the immediate future.  Up to A$30,000 is available.

Production Cashflow Facility provides pre-production bridging loan finance of up to $300,000.  Current rate of interest for the loan is 7.5%.

Indigenous Unit-Drama Development supports the development costs of outstanding, creatively ambitious drama projects by emerging indigenous (Aboriginal Australian) practitioners.  Provides up to A$18,000.

Indigenous Unit-Drama Production
& Post-Production seeks to extend the professional development opportunities available for Indigenous film and television practitioners through production investment.  Invests in projects that exhibit original ideas, a skilful grasp of dramatic storytelling and a knowledge of
the requirements of low-budget filmmaking.

Indigenous Unit-Documentary Development funds the development costs associated with an individual documentary project.  Up to A$15,000 is available per project.

Indigenous Unit Documentary Production & Post-Production provides documentary production and post-production investment for the costs associated with an individual documentary project.

Marketing Loans provides last-resort marketing loans in unusual or unforeseen circumstances for completed film, television and interactive digital media projects that have been unable to secure marketing funding from any other source.  There is no fixed limit for individual loans.

National Touring Exhibition Fund provides support for the touring of film and media exhibition programs.  The purpose is to expand screen access and encourage practitioner development.  No fixed amount of funding.

Internship to assist emerging and experienced practitioners whose careers would benefit from an attachment to a person, production or organization.  Provides a grant of up to A$10,000.

Filmmaker Fellowships and Attachments to acknowledge and assist the work of established industry practitioners wishing to further develop their careers.  Grants of up to A$20,000 are available for travel, individual programs of study, and high-level attachments.

A variety of travel grants are available to film practitioners.  The aim is to allow them to attend the screening of their work at international events and to attend international markets to secure
finance for projects.

Industry & Cultural Development Funding Program offers support that aims to cultivate, develop and provide access to Australia’s screen culture.  Funds are provided to organizations to deliver a range of screen culture events.  No fixed amount of funding is available.  This program has several strands:  National Touring Exhibition Fund provides support for the touring of film and media exhibition programs.  The purpose is to expand screen access and encourage practitioner development.  New Projects Fund provides assistance to support new projects and publications related to Australian screen culture.  Events & Activities Fund provides support for events that cultivate and assist the development and appreciation of Australian screen culture.

The Australian government’s principal agency for funding the production of film and television.

Projects backed by the Film Finance Corporation are financed by a combination of FFC funds and finance from private investors and other marketplace participants
(e.g., distributors, broad-casters, sales agents and state government agencies).  The FFC’s market partners provide opportunities for programs to find audiences. By co-financing with theatrical distributors, broadcasters, international sales agents and other such companies, the FFC can exploit distribution and exhibition networks.

Total Budget

$70.5 million
(2005-2006)

Feature Films Financing

$37.5 million
(2005-2006)

Feature Films Financing Scheme invests in projects with the strongest creative, market and audience potential.  The Film Finance Corporation assists in financing by undertaking direct investment; acquiring, obtaining, dealing in and exercising rights; making loans; investment guarantees, and underwriting agreements; leading or participating in loan syndicates and similar joint ventures.  The FFC may invest up to 45% of the budget.

Prints & Advertising Loans makes funds available for extra prints and advertising materials in the form of a non-recourse loan.

The MEDIA Programme, to run through 2001 to 2006, aims at strengthening the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry with a series support measures dealing with training of professionals, development of production projects, distribution and promotion of cinematographic works and audiovisual programmes.

Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, United Kingdom are among the European countries that participate in
the MEDIA Programme.

Total Budget

€67.1 million (2003)

Project Development

€20.1 million (2003)

Distribution

€30 million (2003)

Marketing & Promotion

€8.5 million (2003)

Vocational Training

€7.5 million (2003)

i2i Audiovisual

€2.7 million (2003)

MEDIA New Talent provides subsidies of up to 60% of development costs for scripts written by screenwriters younger than
35 years of age.

Support for the Development of Single-Projects to promote the development of projects submitted by European independent production companies and aimed at European and international markets.  Provides a subsidy covering up to 50% of eligible development costs.

Support for the Development of Slate Projects to promote the development of projects submitted by European independent production companies and aimed at European and international markets.  Slate funding is intended for medium sized companies with experience at the international level and the capacity to develop several projects simultaneously.  A range of subsidies are offered depending on the company’s investment capacity: 
up to €90,000 for companies with lesser capacities, up to €125,000 for companies with greater capacities.

Support for Transnational Distribution of European Films and Networking of Distributors to foster the wider transnational distribution of non-domestic European films and to encourage theatrical distributors to invest in promotion and adequate distribution for non-domestic European films.  There are two types of funding available:  a subsidy intended to co-finance up to 50% of dubbing and subtitling costs; and a conditionally repayable advance intended to co-finance a maximum of 50% of the other eligible distribution costs.

Support for Transnational Distribution of European Films (sales agents) to encourage and support the wider transnational distribution of recent European films by providing funds to sales agents based on their performance on the market, for further investment in new European Films.  Subsidy covers up to 50% of eligible costs for a project.

Support for Exhibitors to encourage the networking of European premiere cinemas and the screening of non-domestic European films
by these cinemas.

Support for Promotion & Market Access to facilitate and encourage the promotion of European audiovisual and cinematographic works at trade shows, fairs and audiovisual festivals, and to encourage the networking of European operators by supporting joint activities by national promotional bodies.  The amount of the subsidy awarded will not exceed 50% of the total cost of the operation.

Funding in the Field of Vocational Training to meet the industry’s needs and promote competitiveness by improving the vocational training of individuals in the audiovisual sector; and to encourage co-operation and exchange of knowledge by fostering partnerships between training institutions, the professional sector and companies.  On average the subsidies awarded cover
49% of the costs of training.

i2i Audiovisual to support audiovisual production companies’ access to financing from banks and other financial institutions by co financing some of the costs of guaranties required by such institutions and/or part of the costs of bank financing.  Up to €50,000 is available per project.  Contributions may not exceed 50% of eligible costs.