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The Netherlands - Wallonia Brussels Federation film treaty signed

The Netherlands and Wallonia Brussels Federation of Belgium today signed a Co-production treaty for the production of films. The treaty was signed in Brussels by the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Dr. Jet Bussemaker, and Mrs Joëlle Milquet, Minister of Education, Culture and Childhood of Wallonia Brussels Federation. Also minister-president of Wallonia Brussels Federation, Rudy Demotte, will be signing the treaty.

The treaty will enhance and facilitate the co-production of films between the Wallonia Brussels Federation of Belgium and the Netherlands, stimulating the audiovisual industries and the development of cultural and economic exchanges in both territories.

It’s conditions determine which films are eligible and are considered by both parties as national films. It will therefore give producers in both territories access to each other’s financing possibilities. The level of each co-producer’s contribution in terms of cast and crew and artistic as well as technical input, must be in line with the funding that they bring to the project. A film production may qualify if the minority producer contributes a share of the funding of at least 10%.

The WBFC (Film agency of the Wallonia Brussels Federation) and the Netherlands Film Fund initiated the treaty, which provides an important basis for boosting bilateral co-production and the development of the film industry and film culture in both territories.

Emmanuel Roland, head of Cinema Production at WBFC, articulates the reasons why such filmmaking accord is necessary. “The most recent researches have shown that international cinematographic co-production is a must,” he points out. “First of all, it opens new cultural universes, encouraging diversity and curiosity for other stories and new ways of thinking; it allows a real share of creativity. Secondly, it’s the best way for encouraging co-operation between professionals to reach a common goal regarding picture, sound, set design, editing etc. And it gives projects other opportunities of financing and new markets for distribution.”

After a desire on the part of professionals in the Netherlands and Wallonia Brussels Federation to work together, the funding institutions decided to formalize matters officially.
Doreen Boonekamp, CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund: “The cinematographic treaty between The Netherlands and Wallonia Brussels Federation will structure the framework of co-operation between the parties and give to professionals the best artistic and financial possibilities to collaborate”.

The Netherlands currently has co-production treaties with France, Canada, Germany, China and South Africa.