Portugal

[PT] New Decision on Selective Funding

IRIS 1995-7:1/19

Ad van Loon

European Audiovisual Observatory

Law no. 45-C/95, signed 18 January 1995 by the Prime Minister and referring to Legislative Decree No 350/93 of 7 October makes far-reaching amendments to the normative framework governing the cinematographic and audio-visual sectors. It would appear, beyond any legal necessities, that the funding systems for cinematographic production have been altered in order to come into line with the reality of the current situation. The main aim is to bring the public over to Portuguese cinema and to make optimum use of public financing by making the largest possible number of cinematographic works. Another objective is to streamline procedures and to give genuine empowerment to the people involved. The law contains a regulation concerning selective funding and general rules (definition, terms and conditions, funding ceilings, advertising, competition, jury) for cinematographic production. The second part of the law deals with selective funding for writing the scenario (applicants, documents to be supplied in 7 copies, such as, for example the outline of the project including production technical values, a synopsis of 6 - 12 pages, the opinion and decision of the jury , the granting of funding, the beneficiary's obligations). The third part of the law is given over to selective funding for production, while the fourth part refers to funding for the production of first-time films and feature-length cartoons. The fifth part deals with penalties in the event of failure to comply with regulations or for false representation.