
FILM DISTRIBUTION FUND – Year 2023. Guidelines for granting contributions to support the distribution of Italian cinematographic works beyond national borders. 




Objectives


The present call contains the Guidelines for the allocation of contributions to support the theatrical and digital distribution beyond Italian borders for Italian cinematographic works whose run time exceeds 52 minutes.


Eligible criteria


Independent foreign local distribution companies with registered offices in countries worldwide except for Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City are eligible to apply for the contribution. Legal entities other than the corporate type are not eligible. 


In the event of the application for a contribution aimed at theatrical release, the independent foreign local distribution company must have acquired the theatrical exploitation rights for eligible Italian films. A rights acquisition agreement must be signed, providing the payment of a Minimum Guarantee specifically for theatrical rights. 


In the event of the application for a contribution aimed at Internet release, the independent foreign local distribution company must have acquired Internet exploitation rights for eligible Italian films. A rights acquisition agreement must be signed, providing the payment of a Minimum Guarantee specifically for Internet rights. 


The independent foreign local distributor is committed to bearing the full costs related to the distribution of the film subject to contribution and to include the received sum in the royalty reports submitted to the licensor, as a reduction of the distribution costs that is to say the Minimum Guarantee. 


Actions 


The criteria that allow a cinematographic work to be eligible for the contribution are stated below: 




a) films registered in the Public Register of Cinematographic and Audiovisual works, whose transfer contracts are duly recorded on the register pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decree of January 8th, 2018, and subsequent amendments; 


b) films provided with a definitive Italian nationality, that is those films that have applied for a definitive Italian nationality, and provided with the permit for public screening or the rating classification from DGCA;


 c) films whose definitive copy has been deposited at the Italian National Film Archive; 


d) films realized within 36 months prior to the date of submission of the application: the date when the permit/rating classification has been obtained from DGCA will serve as proof; 


e) for requests aimed at theatrical release, films whose exploitation rights sales agreement with the local independent foreign distributor includes the assignment of theatrical rights with a Minimum Guarantee; 


f) for requests aimed at Internet release, films whose exploitation rights sales agreement with the local independent foreign distributor includes the assignment of Internet rights with a Minimum Guarantee. 




Only the release taking place in theatres open to a paying audience will be considered a “theatrical release”. In order to obtain the contribution, the local independent distributor shall provide official proof of theatrical exploitation (bordereau, contracts with movie theatres) as follows: 




a) for feature-length fiction and animation films: programming at least in 5 movie theatres for a minimum of 15 screenings within 21 days from its theatrical release date; 


b) for feature-length documentary films: programming in at least 3 movie theatres for a minimum of 9 screenings within 21 days from its theatrical release date. 




Only the release taking place on the Internet on a minimum of 2 online platforms having local, national or international relevance will be considered “Internet release”. In order to obtain the contribution, the local independent distributor shall provide official proof of online exploitation by sending valid proof of having made the film available on the platforms, as well as the sub-license contracts with the above-mentioned platforms or with intermediaries/aggregators. 


Budget e Type of grants


In order to strengthen the distribution strategies of the above-mentioned films in foreign markets and to support their commercial circulation outside Italian borders, the Italian Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) has established a Fund of € 2.100.000 for the year 2023. 


This Fund is specifically aimed at supporting the distribution and acquisition of theatrical and Internet exploitation rights by foreign independent local distribution companies with registered offices in countries worldwide with the exception of Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City.


The aid granted is intended for the local independent foreign distributors to promote the sales of Italian nationality cinematographic works beyond national borders, offering support to these operators for the acquisition of theatrical exploitation rights for the territory where they operate, with the aim of reducing their business risk and allowing the financed works to reach the widest possible diffusion abroad. Moreover, in order to enhance the digital diffusion of these cinematographic works beyond the Italian borders, on a trial basis, further support is being prepared for the acquisition of Internet exploitation rights by local independent foreign distributors.


The contribution is non-repayable. Concerning theatrical distribution, the maximum amount of financial support per film per country shall not exceed EUR 50.000; while for Internet distribution shall not exceed EUR 15.000. In any event, the maximum amount of financial support shall not exceed the costs declared on the estimated budget and verified through the final balance.


 The application can be submitted by the local foreign distributor with registered offices within the country where the film is distributed. The contribution will be awarded in three evaluation sessions of EUR 700.000 each, of which EUR 550.000 for theatrical release and EUR 150.000 for Internet release. 


Timeline


The Application Form, complete with all required supporting documents mentioned in the Guidelines, must be sent to the following e-mail address: distributionfund@cinecitta.it respectively no later than June 30th, 2023 (First call 2023), September 30th, 2023 (Second call 2023) and December 31st, 2023 (Third call 2023). 


Updates e Link


Cinecittà


Guidelines 2023


Cinecittà: Film Distribution Fund 2023

FILM DISTRIBUTION FUND – Year 2023. Guidelines for granting contributions to support the distribution of Italian cinematographic works beyond national borders.

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