Switzerland

[CH] Audio-visual Pact Renewed for Three Years

IRIS 2003-7:1/26

Patrice Aubry

RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, Geneva

Concluded for the first time in 1996, the Audio-visual Pact has been renewed for a further three years from 1 January 2003. The Audio-visual Pact is an agreement among the Swiss radio and television company SRG SSR idée suisse and six partners in the Swiss cinematographic branch, namely the Association suisse des producteurs de films (Swiss association of film producers ­ SFP), the Association suisse des réalisatrices et réalisateurs de films (Swiss association of film directors ­ ARF), the Groupement suisse du film d'animation (Swiss animated film grouping

­ GSFA), the Association Romande du Cinéma (French-speaking Swiss cinema association ­ ARC), Producteurs suisses film et vidéo (Swiss film and video producers ­ SFVP) and the Groupe Auteurs, Réalisateurs, Producteurs (writers', directors' and producers' group ­ GARP).

The aim of the Audio-visual Pact for 2003-2005 signed in Locarno on 5 August 2002, which has a total budget of CHF 50.4 million for the three years it will remain in force, is to promote the independent production of projects for cinema and television, and the showing of Swiss films on the television channels of SRG SSR idée suisse. The agreement is based on flexible collaboration among the partners concerned and its purpose is to improve the possibilities of self-financing for independent Swiss production and access to Swiss and European audio-visual support funds. Moreover, the signatories of the Audio-visual Pact ment) to increase significantly the public funds allocated in favour of independent production.

The annual contribution of SRG SSR idée suisse amounts to CHF 16.8 million, an increase of CHF 300 000 compared with the sum for the previous Audio-visual Pact 2000. This additional amount is intended for animated films which until now did not receive any support from the agreement. The balance available is to be divided among cinematographic production (CHF 6 million), the production of films for television (CHF 7.4 million) and the "broadcasting success" ("succès passage antenne") bonus (CHF 3.1 million). The aim of this bonus is to have more Swiss films shown on the television channels of SRG SSR idée suisse and to ensure a degree of continuity in production. The bonus must be re-invested in projects for the cinema or television.

The sums invested by SRG SSR idée suisse under the Audio-visual Pact are allocated on the basis of co-production contracts concluded with independent Swiss producers. The contracts are signed in the name of SRG SSR idée suisse by its TV enterprise units, namely Schweizer Fernsehen (DRS), Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR), Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (RTSI) and Radio e Televisiun Rumantscha (RTR). The projects submitted by the producers must be of a certain quality, attractive and economically viable in terms of market conditions. In exchange for its financial contribution, SRG SSR idée suisse acquires the corresponding television rights in Switzerland and Liechtenstein for a period of fifteen years starting on the date of the first showing of the films it co-produces.