2027 budget: French cinema fears a catastrophic scenario
More than 170 figures from France's film industry warn about the impact of the 2027 budget, fearing hundreds of films could vanish if measures like doubling VAT on Canal+ pay-TV offers go through.
An op-ed piece in Le Monde has called out the 2027 draft finance bill as a potential disaster for French cinema. Notable directors and producers, including Jacques Audiard, Costa-Gavras, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Alice Winocour, and Julia Ducournau, fear the proposal could wipe out 400 films over five years, an unprecedented scale of loss.
The proposed cuts to public funding and private investment are severely damaging, with France Télévisions' budget set to shrink by 47 million euros and a 35-million-euro levy potentially imposed on the CNC. The CNC, which funds various aspects of filmmaking, is funded by a combination of taxes collected from cinema ticket sales, television, and streaming platforms.
Critics argue that this system allows the industry to operate without taxpayer funding. The article also highlights the private sector's role, specifically Canal+, which is legally obligated to reinvest a portion of its revenue into French film production. A proposed VAT hike for pay-TV subscriptions, from 10% to 20%, could force Canal+ to either raise subscription fees or reduce its investment in cinema.
If implemented, this could lead to a loss of 750 million euros for film creation between 2028 and 2032, potentially resulting in 400 films not being produced. The article emphasizes the irony of Cana+ being criticized for its influence while still being a crucial contributor to French cinema. Additionally, the signatories advocate for a complete revision of the sector's legal framework, including updating the audiovisual law from 1986, enhancing AI regulations, and providing better support for the CNC.
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