Film agreement for next five years in place

FILM POLICY. Strengthened regional film funds, a more flexible support system and ambitious goals for the audience’s experience of Danish films. These are some of the main items in the new five-year film agreement for 2019-2023 which was signed on Thursday, 1 November, by all parties in the Danish Parliament.

The Danish parliament has entered into an agreement about the future of Danish films. The film agreement for 2019-2023 lays down the overall economic and film-policy framework for the work of the Danish Film Institute (DFI) over next five years.

Claus Ladegaard, CEO of the DFI, says:

"First and foremost, we are pleased that we have achieved a broad and ambitious agreement, which, with DKK 560 m (EUR 75 m) per year, emphasises that there is great political support for continuing to develop Danish films to benefit everyone. Together with the industry and other actors, we look forward to living up to the high ambitions for strengthening the cultural importance of Danish film, both when it comes to market share and artistic quality. 

"I especially appreciate the wish to have a flexible, non-bureaucratic subsidy system, because this is needed if Danish films are to take part in the digital development and the quickly changing behaviour of audiences, not least among children and young people. In recent years, the DFI, together with the industry, has worked towards strengthening a diverse film culture that expresses itself throughout the country, and with increased subsidies to regional funds, the efforts will gain more momentum. 

"It is also encouraging that the political parties will continue to ensure talent development as an important driving force for Danish film, and that there is a focus on the urgent task of digitising heritage films and present them both through the Cinematheque’s activities throughout the country and via the DFI's historical streaming sites."

Focus areas in the Film Agreement for 2019-2023 are: 

  • Economic framework. Total funds (film subsidies and operating costs) will be retained at DKK 560 m (EUR 75 m) per year.
  • Market share. The Danish Film Institute and the regional film funds must ensure that the market share for Danish films is increased so that cinema tickets for Danish films comprise approximately one third of all tickets sold in Denmark.
  • Flexibility. The division of accounts in the subsidy system will be reduced so that film subsidies will be more flexible.
  • Regional film funds. The regional film funds – FilmFyn and the West Danish Film Fund – will be strengthened with a total of DKK 35 m (EUR 4.7 m) yearly, so that each film fund will receive DKK 23.7 m (EUR 3.2 m) in annual state subsidies. The agreement also makes it possible for new regional film funds to receive state subsidies as well.
  • Talent development. At least DKK 32 m (EUR 4.3 m) a year will be invested in growth and talent development in Danish films through the talent scheme New Danish Screen.
  • Digital games. DKK 10 m (EUR 1.3 m) will be allotted to development of digital games each year.
  • Children and youth. Film subsidies are to focus on young target groups. At least 25 per cent of the subsidies are allocated to productions that are relevant to children and young people.
  • Distribution. Cinema films that do not sell as well as others should be made available more quickly on other platforms so that all those who are interested are able to view them.
  • Film piracy. Pirate copying must be fought against through a new consumer campaign and police activities.

The new film agreement is, as an exception to the rule, set out to last five years and not the usual four years, to create coherence with the Media Agreement, which was sealed in June.

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