SRG increases funding for Swiss filmmaking
SRG is expanding the financial support it has provided annually to independent domestic filmmaking since 1998 as part of the Pacte de l'audiovisuel. Television advertising for cinema films and the development of French-language television series are now also supported.
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG is expanding the financial support it has provided annually to independent domestic filmmaking since 1998 as part of the Pacte de l'audiovisuel. Support is given to documentary, feature and animated film productions for television and cinema. This year's commitment of CHF 19.8 million will be increased by CHF 1.5 million in 2009 and by CHF 500,000 annually until 2011. From 2011, CHF 22.3 million will be allocated annually. This was agreed in the new pact signed on July 16 between SRG and representatives of the industry. The renewed pact also introduces two new features: For the first time, a specific contribution will be made to the promotion of cinema films, particularly in the form of television advertising. SRG Director General Armin Walpen said at the signing ceremony that this will support filmmaking from project development to the promotion of the works. Close cooperation between TSR and independent producers will also be established in order to promote the development of new television series. Over the last ten years, the pact has provided almost 200 million Swiss francs to support over 1000 projects. Co-productions have been available online at Pactevod.ch since August 2007.
