Netherlands

[NL] COVID-19 Protocol for film and audiovisual sector

IRIS 2020-7:1/17

Anne van der Sangen

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

On 18 May 2020, the Dutch Audiovisual Producers Alliance (Nederlandse Audiovisuele Producenten Alliantie, NAPA) and Dutch Content Producers (Nederlandse Content Producenten, NCP), which are associations for independent professional producers, presented a Protocol for different audiovisual productions during the COVID-19 crisis. The Netherlands Film Fund (Nederlands Filmfonds), the national agency responsible for supporting film production and film-related activities in the Netherlands, will ensure the correct use of the Protocol. On 29 May 2020, the second version of the Protocol and corresponding toolkit were published.

In cooperation with various trade and professional associations, a Protocol and a concrete toolkit have been formulated for film and audiovisual media. The Protocol contains rules of conduct and guidelines relating to hygiene as well as precautionary and protective measures.  By adopting the Protocol, productions can start in a safe and responsible manner.

The Protocol is in line with the (changing) guidelines provided by the Dutch Government and the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, RIVM), which have been translated into general measures to be taken in various risk situations, subdivided into low, medium and high risk. Part of the Protocol is an indicative risk analysis table in which the guidelines are specified for the various phases in an audiovisual production per discipline/department and associated functions. For example, in case of necessary site visits, the number of participants shall be kept to a minimum. It is also recommended to work as much as possible in permanent teams. A list of frequently asked questions has also been added to the Protocol.

The Protocol provides guidelines for starting and resuming productions – indoors or outdoors, at home or in the office. In addition, the Dutch Academy for Film (DAFF) has developed a toolkit containing practical advice relevant to the workplace. These documents will continue to be updated on the basis of insight gained. Still, it remains necessary to consider each individual production, and to examine whether and under what conditions it may be justified to run productions in the current situation.


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This article has been published in IRIS Legal Observations of the European Audiovisual Observatory.