France scores at the box office with foreign film productions
In 2010, the French cinema industry generated €330 million of revenues, with exports accounting for €137 million of this figure. Eleven films recorded higher admission numbers outside France than within the country, taking all genres into account.
- (1888PressRelease) May 06, 2011 - "The French cinema industry is unrivalled in Europe and continues to go from strength to strength. The Tax Rebate for International Productions [TRIP] shot in France has strengthened the country's position in the sector since its introduction in 2009. The number of foreign feature-length shooting days has doubled in two years. Every film represents an opportunity to make large foreign audiences more aware of the rich, diverse and attractive heritage of France," says David Appia, Chairman and CEO of the Invest in France Agency (IFA).
Productions from around the world are showcased in France, in particular during the Cannes Film Festival and Deauville American Film Festival. As a location, France provides significant support for cinema and audiovisual productions. As a major film producer - with about 200 feature-length movies made in the country each year - France boasts a pool of expert technicians trained by FEMIS (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Métiers de l'Image et du Son, the country's national élite film school), which has a widely recognised reputation for excellence around the world.
The presence of film studios in Ile-de-France (i.e. Paris and its region) and in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (in the south-east of the country), together with the recent completion of facilities in Lille and Lyons, among other developments, has resulted in the fact that France can accommodate productions destined for global audiences. For location shooting, the natural, historical and cultural heritage of France is a major draw.
France also has outstanding film restoration and archiving resources. The museum of the Cinémathèque Française houses the world's largest database on the Seventh Art, while the National Audiovisual Institute (Institut National de l'Audiovisuel, or INA) is a recognised leader in R&D, training and production activities, across all areas of picture and sound.
France's attractiveness as a location for foreign film productions was further strengthened in 2009 by the introduction of the Tax Rebate for International Productions (or TRIP), which was specifically designed for non-French companies making part (or all) of a film in France. Since it was introduced, 31 foreign productions (encompassing on-location filming, animation and digital visual effects) have been granted a TRIP rebate, amounting to 20% of eligible expenditure. Twelve of these productions were shot entirely or partially in Paris and the others in the regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, Picardie (in the north of the country), Brittany (in the west), Rhône-Alpes (in the south-east) and Guadeloupe (in the French West Indies).
Foreign production expenditure in France has increased fivefold in recent years, from €10 million in 2008 to €50 million in 2009. In 2010 again, the figure that was reached was of €50 million. The BBC, for example, decided to shoot a series of films on Merlin in France, while several US-based film-makers have taken advantage of the scheme, including internationally acclaimed directors such as Clint Eastwood (with Hereafter), Martin Scorsese (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) and Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris).
The number of shooting days determines the knock-on benefits for the local economy, in terms of jobs for artists and technicians, post-production, equipment hire, accommodation, transport, catering, and so on. Total foreign feature-length shooting days rose from 92 days in 2008 to 210 days in 2010 - an increase of over 100%. Meanwhile, the average number of shooting days per foreign feature-length film went up from six to 14 days over the same period.
In 2010, the French cinema industry generated revenues totalling €330 million, with exports accounting for €137 million of the overall figure. Eleven films recorded higher admission numbers outside the country than in France itself, taking all genres into account, including art-house movies, movies on general release and animation films.
French developers have acquired a worldwide reputation in the field of animation, more particularly in relation to special effects and in terms of their 3D expertise. Dynamic companies in the animation sector, such as Mac Guff, Buf and Mikros, are respected and well known internationally.
The Tax Rebate for International Production (or TRIP) is administered by the National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC), with applications assessed by Film France.
Created in 1946, the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) is a public-sector agency coming under France's Ministry of Culture. Its role is to regulate the film industry in France; to support the film, broadcast, video and multimedia industries; to promote movies and TV productions; and, finally, to preserve the nation's unique film heritage.
For further information on CNC, please go to: www.cnc.fr
Film France is the first stop for international production companies interested in filming in France. A network of 40 local film commissions throughout the country offers free information on locations, crews, labour rates and facilities. Film France provides assistance with contacting appropriate agencies regarding work permits and filming permits, as well as information regarding labour rates, studio facilities, post-production facilities and suppliers.
For further information on Film France, please go to: www.filmfrance.net
About the Invest in France Agency (IFA)
The Invest in France Agency (IFA) is the national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It also co-ordinates initiatives in order to promote France's economic attractiveness.
The IFA network operates worldwide, with offices within France as well as in North and South America, in Europe, in the Middle East, and in the rest of Asia. In France, IFA works in partnership with regional development agencies to offer international investors outstanding business opportunities and customized services.
For further information on IFA, please visit www.investinfrance.org
For further information, please contact :
Quote ref. : FTPB3580
Ms Mary-Ann WILLIAMS - Press Officer
UBIFRANCE Press Office in London
Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640
mary-ann.williams ( @ ) ubifrance dot fr
View other press releases at :
http://www.ubifrance.com/uk/
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