“Good checks on tax credits wanted by Sangiuliano, to avoid waste”

2023-10-26 18:47:04

“Let’s play down the controversy. There has been talk in recent days about cuts to funding for cinema and audiovisuals. In the end it will be a physiological cut, 5 percent, in line with the cuts of all ministries”. This is stated by the president of Anica Francesco Rutelli, commenting on the controversy of recent days relating to cuts for the audiovisual sector. “We have read about figures that do not correspond to reality – explains Rutelli to time.news – I have heard of 800 million per year in tax credit for cinema, in reality there are 100 million this year. For the entire audiovisual sector, there are around 300 million”. These figures are “important, without a doubt, and those who make these products must demonstrate that they know how to make them better and better, that they meet expectations and that they don’t waste”, adds Rutelli.

In this “there is an important aspect of the position taken by Minister Sangiuliano, who asked for more checks which the Ministry itself must carry out”. On the controls, the president of Anica says: “If there are more controls, they are welcome. The controls are scarce because the personnel in charge are scarce. But taking up our stimulus the minister has announced targeted hirings. If any product does not meet the criteria of transparency, efficiency, success, it is right to eliminate waste”. But there is a clarification on the concept of ‘success’: “Not all films must or can necessarily boom at the box office – underlines Rutelli to time.news – Otherwise in the In the past we wouldn’t have had Fellini or Sorrentino.”

The president of Anica invites us to look at what is happening abroad: “France spends much more than us on cinema. Germany has increased spending. In Spain the tax levy for those who go there to produce from abroad is being reduced. In the United States there is an ongoing challenge between states to attract the audiovisual sector, which creates jobs.” The hope is that we can “all work together to strengthen the Italian cinema industry”. An industry that is doing well, which guarantees full employment: “Every euro invested in the sector yields 3.5”. In conclusion, “if there is a need to cut inefficiency quotas, we agree – explains Rutelli – Not giving incentives for the theatrical release of films intended for TV? Incentivizing productions linked to Italian quality? It can be done. Let’s take into account that all over the world there is a competition to attract investments in the sector.”

Rutelli then appreciates the letter sent by the minister at the conclusion of the ‘Dialogues’ initiative, the series of meetings that took place at Maxxi as part of the Film Festival. In particular where he states that he “wants to dedicate greater attention to the audiovisual industrial chain, recognizing its high value”. And speaking of the series of meetings, which ended today, Rutelli adds: “There was a 360-degree dialogue. Almost seventy speakers representing all the creative worlds of industries, supply, demand, international relations , theaters, authors, directors, screenwriters. The debate focused on the theme of the audience. Spectators in theaters are growing again, and we believe the quality of the product must improve, in particular the Italian one which must once again make the public dream “.