Film Policy Accord 2003-06

With a view to supporting the continued development of Danish cinematographic art and culture, the Danish Government (the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party), the Social Democratic Party, the Danish People's Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Social-Liberal Party and the Christian People's Party have entered into the following accord on the budget and objectives for Danish film policy for the period 2003-06.

1. Budget for Danish film policy 2003-06
The budget presented for Danish film policy for the period 2003-06 is based on the Government's budget bill for 2003.

The budget also includes DR and TV 2's financial commitment to Danish film for 2003-06, established on the basis of the Media Policy Accord 2002-06.

The Film Policy Accord 2003-06 presupposes that DR and TV 2 honour their financial commitment to Danish film for 2003-06 in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Memorandum of November 1, 2002 on the relationship between the Media Policy Accord 2002-06 and the Film Policy Accord 2003-06.

One goal is for DR and TV 2's financial commitment to Danish film during the coming period to result in more Danish feature, short and documentary films being broadcast by the two TV stations.

Budget for the film settlement

The level of support available from the Danish Film Institute (DFI) for features, shorts/documentaries and other initiatives for the period 2003-06 reflects the DFI's priorities. The DFI's support for talent development is unchanged since an agreement on this initiative is to be entered into with DR and TV 2 on this basis.

3. Film policy objectives and focus areas 2003-06

Focus areas for Danish film policy 2003-06:

1. Feature films
2. Short and documentary films
3. Talent development
4. Children
5. Local cinema
6. New support and funding mechanisms
7. Film preservation and marketing of film archives
8. Performance assessment

1. Feature films

Objectives:
 The DFI has earmarked approx. DKK 640 million for the development, production and marketing of feature films during the period.
 The DFI is to ensure a production volume of 80-100 features during the period, including 65-85 Danish-language features and 15-25 foreign-language international co-productions with Danish involvement. This work will focus on maintaining high standards of quality. The DFI is to promote the production of low-budget films as well as more expensive productions.
 The Media Policy Accord 2002-06 requires DR and TV 2 to invest an average of DKK 35 million a year each in features in the independent production sector.
 The DFI's work on the distribution and marketing of features is to be continued and developed.
 The Film Act requires at least 25% of the funds earmarked for the production of features to be used for films for children. In this context the DFI is to promote the production of features for teenagers in particular.

 Adjustments to the DFI's support schemes:

 The ceiling of DKK 5 million for the 60/40 scheme is to be removed to provide greater scope for variations in the amount of support given to individual films.
 A more stringent requirement is being introduced for the repayment of Danish support for major international and foreign-language co-productions with a Danish lead producer.
 So that a film is more likely to make money, in the future the granting of support through the 60/40 scheme should be based on weighing up the film's total production budget against its ability to fill seats. On this basis the DFI is to promote a better mix of more and less expensive 60/40 productions and ensure that the target for the total production volume for 2003-06 is met.

2. Short and documentary films

Objectives:
 The DFI has earmarked approx. DKK 161 million for the development, production and marketing of short and documentary films during the period.
 The DFI is to ensure a production volume of 170-180 shorts and documentaries during the period.
 The Media Policy Accord 2002-06 requires DR and TV 2 to invest an average of DKK 7 million a year each in shorts and documentaries in the independent production sector.
 The DFI's work on the distribution and marketing of shorts and documentaries is to be strengthened with a view to these films being shown on TV (in conjunction with the TV stations) and being used increasingly as an active element in teaching (in conjunction with the education sector).
 The DFI is to develop the digital distribution (DVD, Internet etc.) of shorts and documentaries to schools and libraries in particular during the settlement period.
 
3. Talent development

Objectives:
 The DFI has earmarked DKK 75 million for a new collaboration with DR and TV 2 on talent development during the period.
 DR and TV 2 are transferring their previous commitment to the Dansk Novellefilm short features initiative of DKK 4 million a year each to the new collaboration with the DFI (a total of DKK 32 million from the two TV stations together during the period 2003-06).
 DR, TV 2 and the DFI are together setting up a talent development scheme to give both young untried talents and the more experienced an opportunity to develop in all conceivable genres and film formats. Both film and TV depend on the development of new talents, and TV is an important window for these productions.
 The goal is, in collaboration with the film sector, to create better opportunities for talents (e.g. new graduates from the National Film School of Denmark or experienced directors etc.) to get going on their first film production or try out new sides of their talent.
 The new initiative is being set up independently of the DFI's other activities involving the development, production and distribution of films. Independence will be assured through an agreement between the TV stations and the DFI on the objectives and strategies for the new initiative, and it has been decided that the three institutions together will appoint a creative director for the talent scheme. The creative director will take the final decision on support for individual projects within the specified financial budget.
 The administration of the talent initiative's funds is to be simplified so that the greatest possible amount is available for talents and the film sector. The new talent scheme will therefore be based administratively at the DFI.

4. Children

Objectives:
 In connection with the objective of strengthening the marketing of shorts and documentaries to schools and libraries, a focused initiative is being launched to develop the use of the medium of film in teaching etc. This initiative is being developed in part in collaboration with the education sector, e.g. the Ministry of Education, Local Government Denmark and the Danish Union of Teachers.

5. Local cinema

Objectives:
 Continued development of the local cinema
Local cinemas are important cultural gathering points for local communities. A properly functioning local cinema sector helps to ensure that films première not only in the large cinemas in the big cities but also in smaller cinemas, so increasing the impact of the marketing that takes place around the time of the première.

 Preparation for the "digital cinema"
The digital cinema can be expected to make its breakthrough over the next four years. In the longer term the distribution of films on the traditional reels will disappear and be replaced by the digitally stored film distributed on disc or over the Internet.

The DFI's role will be to monitor strategic and technological developments, partly in conjunction with the cinema sector and international partners. Another role will be to prepare for the changeover process in the local cinema sector, partly to safeguard the distribution of Danish films in particular.

6. Explore the possibilities for establishing new support and funding mechanisms for Danish film

Objectives:
By the end of 2003 the DFI is to present a report on the possibilities for establishing new forms of support and funding to back up private investment in film production. The report is to be based on experience from other European countries, such as the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland.

7. Film preservation and marketing of film archives

Objectives:
 A new archive solution for nitrate films acceptable in terms of both security and preservation is to be established during the settlement period. The nitrate archive is expected to be funded through the SEA scheme, which means that the construction costs will be paid in the form of rental charges once the building work is complete. The nitrate archive is expected to be ready in 2006. Funds for rentals etc. will be integrated into the DFI's operating budget.
 Prioritized restoration initiative on the basis of the preservation plan. The preservation initiative will focus on the most important works in terms of film history – both features and shorts/documentaries.
 Better marketing on the basis of the preservation initiative and the DFI's film history research – partly through the Cinematheque and partly through DVD reissues of classic works.

8. Performance assessment

Objective:
By the end of April 2006 the DFI is to complete an overall assessment of the impact of the film settlement during the period 2003-05 and its anticipated impact in 2006.