The administration responsible for distributing benefits in Luxembourg’s film industry has recently been subjected to an external audit. The political consensus is that a reform is needed. During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Film Fund director Guy Daleiden thus reacted to a number of allegations against the institution.
He made it clear that he is not opposed to a reform of the Film Fund legislation since the pandemic has already brought about several changes in the sector. Nevertheless, he was unwilling to accept the accusation that the Film Fund is not strict enough.
Daleiden said: “No, I would not say there is a lack of strictness and no report has alleged so. You are discussing two different reports, one by Value Associates and the other [by the Court of Auditors]. Looking at the first sentence of former report, it says that management of the Film Fund is generally positive, so I don’t think it is fair to say that we are not strict enough.”
Producers have to show that they really need money before being able to benefit from support. That is why the Fund has elevated sums at its disposal, noted Daleiden. The fact that producers only pay back a fraction of the aids is because they barely make any profits.
Daleiden elaborated: “It is unfortunately in the nature of Luxembourgish cinema, European cinema, and European culture in general that Luxembourgish films are unprofitable. If producers were able to generate profits and pay back money, then why would we be needed? ... In that case, they would be able to approach a bank.”
Some of the recommendations made in the report by the Court of Auditors have already been implemented. It is no longer Daleiden alone who can sign off on projects, a second signature is now needed. However, the Fund director ensured that it was never just him who approved projects. Furthermore, he emphasised that the Court did not find any concrete mistakes.
On 28 November, he and the president of the Fund’s administrative council will also address the Chamber’s budgetary control commission.
