Representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Culture and the film industry met yesterday in the Austrian film institute to discuss future financing models for the domestic film industry. Central and common objectives are to strengthen predictability and reliability in film financing and the film location Austria. The working group agreed on the development of an “investment bound” for streaming services, combined with a contribution (Levy) in Austria. The working group was launched by the Minister of Culture and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler based on the advice of the round table in the Federal Ministry of Living, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS).
Vice Chancellor and Minister of Culture Andreas Babler: “I am pleased that such a rapid first agreement has reached and everyone pulls together. With the investment obligation, a new financing structure for the industry can be opened up. Streaming services and other financially strong providers are obliged to invest in the Austrian location. As a cultural nation, we are guided by other major cultural nations such as France,” explained cultural minister Babler.
The Ministry of Finance also emphasized the importance of the measure: “In essence, the implementation is intended to support the budgetary independence of the industry. The article is to be used for streaming service providers to strengthen the location in the long term.”
The Austrian film institute sees the model an opportunity for increased cultural promotion. Roland Teichmann, director of the ÖFI: “The introduction of an investment obligation is almost a European standard, but a novelty in Austria. The elaboration becomes complex, we advocate a division of two in direct investments in production and convenient contributions. For funding institutions such as the ÖFI, this could achieve important new impulses that sustainably strengthens and capitalize the independent movie industry.”
The legal basis for the investment obligation offers the EU Directive for Audiovisual Media Services (AVMD), which allows Member States to oblige streaming services to invest in European productions. Austria is already clearly committed to their implementation in the government program.
Alexander Dumreicher-Vivanu, chairman of the association of the film and music industry in the Austria Chamber of Commerce and deputy Julia Sobieszek, referred to all trades in the industry in the conversations and rain for a quick implementation. Alexander Dumreicher-Vantu: “We support the plan to introduce an investment obligation and a contribution for streamers. support the government in planning and implementation. “
The next appointment of the working group will take place in October 2025. The details of a legistic implementation are to be developed and results of conversations with streaming platforms and TV providers and other stakeholders are to be introduced.
Federal Ministry of Living, Art, Culture, Media and Sport
Simon Doujak
Telefon: +4366488461875
E-mail: simon.doujak@bmwkms.gv.at
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