20-07-2008

New rules for TVP feature film funding

By Katarzyna Grynienko
    Public broadcaster Polish Television (TVP, www.tvp.pl) announced it will simplify the procedures for financing the cinema feature films and increase production funds.
    Decisions will now be made by the Film Agency, a branch of TVP, presently managed by Sławomir Jóźwik, who introduced the new measures at a press conference along with the Chairman of TVP Andrzej Urbanski. Jóźwik recommended the annual film budget of TVP be raised to PLN25-27 million (7.5-8.5 million Euros). Last year PTV spent 5.3 million Euros on feature film production.

    The Film Agency will be control the budget and will produce the project of (including both feature films and mini series) from development to distribution. Previously financing was handeled by different departments of TVP which, Urbanski said, had " limited their possibilities. Filmmakers deserve the modern attention and their movies (deserve) efficent promotion and foreign distribution."

    The Agency (www.sfp.org.pl) has a Literary Department that will evaluate submitted scripts and eventually move into developing original projects. The Production Department will handle production as well as local and foreign distribution.