25-11-2009

FNE VISEGRAD FORUM: Impact of the financial crisis on Polish film

By FNE

    While the global financial crisis is affecting film production, 2009 is shaping up to be a record year for Polish distribution, with over 31.5 million tickets sold to date.

    In 2008 the total amount was 34.1 million, with a significant increase in December.

    The crisis has its impact on film production, but its effects will be visible in 2010.

    "Undoubtedly there has been a decrease of funds for film production from private entities." Anna Godzisz, the official spokesperson for the Polish Film Institute (www.pisf.pl) told FNE.

    Polish public broadcaster Telewizja Polska S.A. has reduced its film production budget.

    In 2009 the producers have been facing a problem with closing their budgets, as PISF can only finance up to 50% of the production (maximum of 6 million PLN in co-production projects). PISF responded by trying to meet the films' funding needs. The average grant for a feature film in 2009 was 2.6 million PLN, while in 2008 it was 2.1 million PLN. Despite PISF's support the number of film features produced in Poland in 2009 dropped to 48 productions, from 60 in 2008. Production still surpasses the numbers from previous years: 19 and 20 movies respectively in 2005 and 2006, and 27 productions in 2007.