The Government gives free rein to series and movies being released directly on video platforms under the demand to receive the same aid as feature films in theaters. This is the main novelty foreseen in the preliminary draft of the new Law on Cinema and Audiovisual Culture that the Council of Ministers approved this Tuesday, at the proposal of the First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño, and the Minister of Culture and Sport, Miquel Iceta.
Since 2007, when the current law came into force, and especially in recent years, the value chain has undergone profound changes. We have incorporated our new content and distribution, exploitation and dissemination services, typical of a global market and of a society characterized by culture and the digital economy.
This Law, together with the General Audiovisual Communication Law, are reforms included in the Recovery Plan whose objective is to strengthen the business fabric and consolidate Spain as an audiovisual investment platform and an exporting country of audiovisual products.
New arrivals
Among the main novelties, the extension of calls for aid to the entire value chain of the audiovisual sector, support for the international promotion of all audiovisual, and not just films, and the protection of heritage stand out. Hence the new title of the law, which adds the concept of audiovisual culture to that of cinema.
It also includes flexibility and clarification of the requirements to obtain Spanish nationality for works. It is a novel in favor of creativity, by eliminating the obstacles that the requirements of the current law pose to creation.
On the other hand, opt for an age rating correction system, similar to the establishment of audiovisual content in the field of television, linear or on-demand audiovisual communication services, in order to configure a more coherent and flexible system.
It is also involved in the importance of the protection and dissemination of cinematographic and audiovisual heritage. It was addressed in a more extensive way, according to the Commission Recommendation of October 27, 2011, on digitization and accessibility in the line of cultural material and digital preservation.
Among the novelties in this regard, the Spanish Film Library is classified as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC). Thus, both its facilities and its contents obtain special protection. Additionally, there are aid lines aimed at the protection of audiovisual heritage.
In addition, innovative policies are included, aimed both at the access of people with disabilities to audiovisual content, and at their inclusion in the jobs of the companies that benefit from aid.
Thus, the incorporation of accessibility systems is established by law as a requirement to access the aid for feature films and distribution.
State Council of Cinematography and Audiovisual Culture
On the other hand, the creation of the State Council for Cinematography and Audiovisual Culture was contemplated. Its objective is dialogue, communication and cooperation in the field of cinematography and audiovisual culture among all those involved, including autonomous communities, public administrations and the sector.
New grants are also created to promote diversity through the distribution of films that are difficult to broadcast in alternative spaces or on the Internet and grants for international distribution.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports is now starting a round of contacts with representatives of the sector, to present the initiative and study and enrich the text. After this process, it will return to the Council of Ministers and will begin its parliamentary process as a Bill.
Boosting the audiovisual sector in the Recovery Plan
The audiovisual and cinematographic sector is one of the palettes of the Recovery Plan which, in addition to the regulatory reforms, included among its objects a 30% increase in audiovisual production in Spain. In this way, the mobilization of 1.603 million euros is expected and Spain's position as Europe's audiovisual hub is reinforced.
