German pols approve film coin bill

Move increases funds for distribution

By ED MEZA

BERLIN -- The German government has approved a bill that modernizes regulations for film subsidies and could increase funding for Teutonic productions and new distribution platforms.

With this legislation, which will be amended in October, the government is looking to include digital-age industry players such as video-on-demand platforms and other content providers into the fold, both as fee-paying film supporters and potential recipients.

One of the bill's main components is increased coin for distribution as well as for conditionally repayable, interest-fee loans and script support to strengthen the quality of domestic films.

Federal culture minister Bernd Neumann said the bill would improve conditions for the film industry. "I am convinced that the bill's new regulations will continue to support the quality of German films and maintain the diversity of the local theatrical landscape," he said.

Neumann has indicated that the government's $90 million-a-year Federal Film Fund, which was launched last year to supplement existing federal and regional subsidy orgs, will continue beyond its initial three-year run.

In view of the continuing growth of digital distribution platforms, the legislation also calls for a narrowing of the window between theatrical release and exploitation on other distribution avenues.

The government unveiled the bill Wednesday to the parliamentary culture committee but is also scheduled to meet industry experts Oct. 8 for further possible amendments to the legislation.