New Law On Theatre And Film Production

Sestan: This year at Cannes the Croatian stand will be exhibited on the waterfront itself, and will not be shared with the Slovenians.

This new law enables the better organization of work in the theatres because the founder of the theater house is required to have financial support. The new law states that money for the running of theatres and theatre groups can be secured from the Croatian national budget and from the budget of local government in those areas where they are considered a public need.

“Through theatre boards a repertoire will be formed which will be financed by local government and the ministry of culture” said Srecko Sestan, assistant to the minister of culture.

In all cities like Vinkovci, Cakovec or Sisak, but also in larger cities, like Zagreb or Split, accepting a statute concerning city theatres is in the stage of approval by the local government, because smaller cities will get their theaters soon.

“Only in Rijeka has the statute been rejected and sent back for revision” said Srecko Sestan.

With the law on theaters a positive advantage will be introduced – stopping the conflict of interests. So that the commissary and work director during the mandate can not artistically work outside of their home theater, whilst on another note, outside members of the theater board will not be able to work inside the theater in which they are on the board. There will be a ban on the competition of artists with the theater they are working for, because every job outside the house will need to be approved by the commissary and the director.

Unlike the law on theaters which took force on 1.1.2007, the law on audio-visual activities is being made and is nearly finished. The work group for the making that law is made up from, according to the deputy minister: all professions, from cinematographers to expert services.

The recent success in Croatian film have created a positive atmosphere for making this law.

“We really want to get some things moving in that area, and not make it look like we are doing something” said Sestan an added that “the agreement with HRT about the production of ten documentary films this year, is in force”.

So this year we will start filming ten films of different genres because as Sestan says, “we feel that we should evenly represent all genres”.

This year, at Cannes, Croatia will be more represented and on a more attractive position than last year. The Croatian stand will be on the famous waterfront of Cannes and unlike last year, says Sestan, we will not share a stand will the Slovenians, only the Balcony.

Also in the works is a plan to have a central place to find out everything about Croatian film.

“Something like Hitro.hr only for film”, says Sestan.

In May the Croatian film week will be held in Peking, and for autumn the same thing in New York.