in partnership with The Biz and Tech Lab.
Unifrance organised for the third consecutive year the Franco-Spanish Cinema Meetings in Paris in order to cast light on these two markets, whose interactions are unfortunately limited, notwithstanding the reciprocal affection felt by these two countries on many accounts…
Antoine de Clermont Tonnerre, Unifrance’s President, opened the debate by introducing Véronique Cayla, Head of the CNC, and Ignasi Guardans, recently appointed head of ICAA.
Underlining that only the negative aspects of the digitalisation of Cinema is often pointed out (the fragmentation of the audience, the weakening of historical players – thus the financing of independent features, and piracy) , Ms Cayla chose to be optimistic for 2010, by insisting on the positive effects of new technologies such as the more open environment for new talents and the development of digital distribution such as Video on Demand (VoD). Just like Spain, France has been working on the deployment of solutions in order to reach common objectives: To develop a legal offer of films online, and to implement the so-called graduate response. Moreover, she finished her intervention by wishing for the creation of a European Fund for Cultural Diversity, which could be financed by Media Mundus, without disclosing any details.
As for Mr. Guardans, he still does not understand the mutual feelings of sympathy between the two countries does not translate itself into more common projects : especially when both countries are confronted with the same problems (he insists on piracy both also on new economical models to put in place). He also insist on the fact that we must reinforce the bilateral relations of France and Spain, especially at a co-production level. Since the Spanish laws are currently in the midst of mutation, the authorities are in need of concrete experiences from professionals in order to adapt the rules throughout the process.
Three debates occurred during the afternoon sessions:
- Presentation of the French and Spanish Cinema Markets,
- The legal offers and the fight against piracy,
- Evolutions in film financing
They will each be treated in a separate post … stay tuned.
