Speaking at a meeting of the Education, Culture and Communication Committee in the House of Representatives, dedicated to the presentation of Bill No. 18.23 relating to the film industry and reorganizing the CCM, the Minister highlighted the issues and challenges related to the rehabilitation of the film sector with a view to establishing it as a lever for economic, social and cultural development.
Mr. Bensaid indicated that the unification of the basic rules relating to the film industry and the reorganization of the CCM within the framework of a single legislative text establishing a “Cinema Code” is part of the efforts to meet the challenges facing the film sector for greater professionalism and competitiveness of the sector.
Regarding the new features contained in the bill, he explained that the conditions for granting, suspending and withdrawing permits related to the activities of the film industry have been unified, with broadcasting deadlines set by the CCM.
According to the Minister, these include, in particular, approvals to carry out a film production activity, to shoot a film or an audiovisual work, to locate the shooting of a film or an audiovisual work, to distribute a film, to import or export a film for commercial purposes, as well as approval to operate a movie theater.
These approvals, he continues, are issued by the CCM within the time limits provided for by the legislation relating to the simplification of administrative procedures and steps, emphasizing the obligation to create a public limited company (SA) or a limited liability company (SARL) to obtain authorization to exercise film production and the distribution of cinematographic films.
Regarding the execution of film and audiovisual production, Mr. Bensaid indicated that two types of accreditation have been created for production companies, the first of which concerns a national accreditation for the execution of production on behalf of Moroccan individuals or residents in Morocco, or legal entities not subject to Moroccan law. The second international accreditation, the minister continued, is issued on behalf of foreign individuals not resident in Morocco or legal entities not subject to Moroccan law, for a renewable period of five years, in accordance with the conditions and modalities established for its granting.
Furthermore, the minister mentioned the Professional Identity Card, which is issued by the CCM to any natural person who meets the condition of holding a diploma or certificate issued by one of the universities and training institutes for cinema or audiovisual professions, in addition to the condition of having professional experience in one of the categories of professional activities linked to the film industry.
The bill also provides for the creation of a national cinema register, the management of which will be entrusted to the CCM, in which all data relating to the film industry and the contracts concluded by production companies with the screenwriter and director will be recorded.
It also provides that the CCM, reorganized under Law No. 70.17, will remain a public institution enjoying legal personality and financial autonomy, emphasizing that it is responsible for implementing State policy in the field of the film industry.
2024-08-30 12:55:30