Switzerland

[CH-FR] New Film Agreement between Switzerland and France

IRIS 2005-1:1/16

Patrice Aubry

RTS Radio Télévision Suisse, Geneva

Representatives of the Governments of the Swiss Confederation and the French Republic signed a new agreement on film co-production on 7 December 2004. The agreement replaces the one that was adopted in 1977 and revised in 1986. France is Switzerland's main partner in film production. Over the last four years, the two countries have co-produced 30 cinema films, which represents 40% of all international film co-productions in which Switzerland has been involved during that period. The agreement applies to cinema films of all genres (fiction, documentary, cartoon). It covers all films considered as national works under the terms of the current legislation in each of the two countries. The films concerned therefore enjoy full access to the national film production aid mechanisms in place in Switzerland and France. In order to benefit, works must have genuine artistic and technical input from both countries. The main innovation concerns the financial involvement of the co-producers. Under the previous co-production agreement, the proportion of the financial contribution from the producers from each country had to be between 20% and 80%. Under the new provisions, this figure must lie between 10% and 90% of the final cost of the work. The lowering of the minimum threshold means that it will be easier for Swiss producers to participate in joint projects with their French partners. It has often been difficult for Swiss producers to gather sufficient funds to make the minimum 20% contribution required by the previous agreement. The co-production agreement also stipulates that there should be an overall balance between the two countries, both in terms of their artistic and technical contributions and in financial terms. In order to measure that balance, during the approval process for a particular film, the national body responsible in each country will prepare a summary of the aid and funding granted to co-productions by the country concerned. If this reveals an imbalance in the respective contributions of France and Switzerland, a joint committee will be responsible for taking the necessary steps to re-align the situation in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. The new co-production agreement will enter into force as soon as the French and Swiss Parliaments have ratified it. It will be valid for two years, renewable by tacit agreement for additional two-year periods unless one of the countries pulls out having given three months' notice.