Creation of a Fund to Encourage Investment in the Cinematographic and Audiovisual Sector
The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) adopted, during a plenary session held on Saturday at the Bardo Palace in Tunis, the creation of a Fund to Encourage Investment in the Cinematographic and Audiovisual Sector, as provided for in Article 61 amended, with 74 votes in favor, 9 abstentions, and 40 votes against.
Objectives of the Fund
According to the adopted text, this fund will be housed at the National Center for Cinema and Image (CNCI), located in the City of Culture in Tunis. It will finance:
- The modernization of cinematographic infrastructure
- The creation of new theaters in regions
- The rehabilitation of existing spaces to strengthen the national distribution network
Mechanism of the Fund
The operating mechanism of the fund also provides for:
- The establishment of modern filming studios and specialized digital laboratories
- The development of the technical industries of cinema
- Attracting foreign productions to Tunisia
- Modernizing administrative procedures related to filming permits for national and international operators
Support for the Tunisian Cinematographic Industry
The fund will also support:
- Tunisian cinematographic production
- Training for screenwriters, directors, and technicians
- Organization of national and international festivals
- Preservation of cinematographic and audiovisual heritage through the strengthening of archiving mechanisms
Funding of the Fund
The funding of the fund will be based on:
- A contribution of 1.75% of the turnover of Internet service distributors and companies subject to the telecommunications levy
- A levy of 1% on the importation of digital equipment
- Revenue from audiovisual advertising
- Box office revenue from theaters
- Donations provided for by legislation
Management of the Fund
The management of the fund will be entrusted to the CNCI under a convention with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with 50% allocated to the loan guarantee mechanism for companies in the cinematographic and audiovisual sector.
