26. 12. 2011

LAW ON CINEMATOGRAPHY ADOPTED

Belgrade, December 26, 2011 (Beta) - The Serbian Parliament adopted on Monday the Law on Cinematography providing for the development of the film industry, incentive for foreign producers to work in Serbia and allocation of funds for the film.

The Law, adopted by 123 voting MPs of the ruling majority, establishes the funds for development of cinematography to be allocated from the part of fees paid by telecommunications operators to RATEL and fees paid by broadcasters to the Republic Broadcasting Agency (RBA) for the broadcasting rights.

For the development of domestic film industry, the funds would be allocated from the state budget, 1.5 percent from the monthly collected RTS TV fee, 20 percent from paid fees charged by RBA and 10 percent of paid fees charged by RATEL.

The Law also provides for the Government of Serbia to prepare the Activity Plan for meeting the general interest in the cinematography, which would prescribe priorities in financing the film industry, measures to be taken for the promoting and presenting domestic productions abroad, the incentives for coproductions, as well as forms of support to film organizations, festivals and manifestations.

The Law stipulates that the professional work in the field of cinematography will be done by the Serbian Film Center, which will be reporting annualy to the Ministry of Culture on its work and the state of cinematography in the country.