Austria

[AT] Film Aid Act Amended

IRIS 2005-3:1/6

Robert Rittler

Gassauer-Fleissner Attorneys at Law, Vienna

A new amendment to the Filmförderungsgesetz (Film Aid Act) entered into force in January 2005. Companies whose headquarters are not in Austria but in another EEA state are now entitled to state aid if they have a branch or office in Austria.

The amendment should improve the internationalisation of the Austrian film industry in both production and marketing terms, as well as fostering more regular co-operation with other aid bodies in Austria and abroad. It facilitates access to aid for children's films, documentaries and young directors' films, which is granted in accordance with how successful they are. The Österreichische Filmrat (Austrian Film Council) is to be set up within the Film Institute and will include representatives of various interest groups, ORF, the Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (broadcasting and telecommunications regulator), the Länder and the Federal Chancellor. It will be responsible for advising the Federal Government about fundamental film policy issues.

The Österreichische Filminstitut (Austrian Film Institute) was created in 1981 to provide comprehensive support to the Austrian film industry. It awards around EUR 10 million a year for the creation, production and marketing of Austrian films. In future, it will produce an annual report on the Austrian film economy.