Canuck panel offers ways to boost pic biz
Fund may fuel expansion
Suggestions include the creation of a new C$150 million ($98 million) fund to finance pics in the Great White North.
Copps announced a full-scale review of film policy last year in an effort to invigorate Canadian cinema, a sector that has not grown nearly as quickly as the local TV industry. Copps is expected to unveil a new film policy based on the recommendations in the coming weeks.
The Canadian Feature Film Advisory Committee, which released its report Thursday, also suggested that the federal government's tax-credit program, now open to foreign producers lensing in Canada, be restricted to Canadian producers, saving the government some $36 million.
The group of industry reps would also like to see the CBC pubcaster kick in another $16 million to back homegrown pics and commit to screening the films in primetime slots on the net. But the advisory committee concedes that the fund will need to access some $33 million in new government cash.
There is a proposal to institute a new 3.5% levy on distribution revenues in Canada generated by Canadian and U.S. distributors. Such a tax, the group estimated, would raise $43 million for government coffers.
In another controversial proposal, the group suggesting an amendment to the Competition Act to prevent the tied sale of U.S. and Canadian rights for nonproprietary films. Often, U.S. companies acquire pan-North American rights to foreign pics, a practice that has long been a sore point for Canuck distribs.
Richard Paradis, president of the Canadian Assn. of Film Distributors and Exporters, was cautiously optimistic following the report's release.
"I think it's quite positive," Paradis said, "but we'll have to wait and see how the minister reacts."
Hollywood pics continue to control well over 90% of screen time in Canada and more than 85% of the box office action in the country.
