Org. / country

Summary

Useful links

Austria

Austrian Film Institute

• The institute is closed since Monday 16^th March, all employees work from home office. No limitations to the administrative work
• Contracts and payments are made without restrictions
• So far no decision making meetings will be postponed or cancelled
• Meetings will be held in video-conference-mode if necessary

• Efforts to receive a special budget from the government to compensate the additional costs of postponed or interrupted productions and losses for distributors due to the closing of all cinemas
• Concerning distribution for films ready for cinema release or already started, production companies are applying to our Board of Management (Aufsichtsrat) to derogate from release windows to distribute the films on platforms which is normally accepted. Distribution support is adapted accordingly.

Belgium (Belgium's Flemish Community)

Flanders Audiovisual Fund

Administration and procedures

• The physical offices of the VAF are closed since the 16th of March and employees are working remotely

• More flexibility regarding administration, reporting and other funding conditions (until the end of 2020):extension of contractual deadlines, flexibility in changes of finance plans, adjustments of payment schemes, flexibility in spend obligations (if motivated) and deliverables
• For VAF–supported events, workshops, etc that are cancelled: non-refundable costs that are already made will be accepted

• Consulting the sector and discussing further possible measures with the Ministries of Culture and Media in Flanders

Belgium (French speaking)

Cinema and audiovisual centre of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation

• Electronic procedures in place

• A new law will be published to postpone schemes deadlines and the rule will be more flexible. 

 Access to films

• For the French speaking Belgian films that were to be released in theaters this week or for those films where the release was suddenly stopped by the closing of cinema theaters, they will directly go on local TVoD services (Proximus, BeTV, etc). A promotion campaign led by the national film fund (CCA) “Le Cinéma belge à la maison" was launched soon in order to promote these releases and also inform people about where to find Belgian content on all Belgian platforms. It is a temporary measure. The theatrical support scheme will be adapted to cover costs for online distribution. After the crisis, cinema theaters will be able to release film if there is still an interest.

Others

• Emergency fund of 50M€ set up on 19 March, including compensation measures from the sector cultural for a provisional budget of 8,4 M€ (and 1,4M€ for cinema & audiovisual), as adopted on 7 April.
• Emergency Cash Flow Loan:  emergency cash loan  intended for all cultural and creative enterprises in sectors of activity whose main purpose is the creation, development, production, reproduction, promotion, dissemination or marketing of goods, services and activities with a cultural, artistic and/or heritage content. Available for a period of 6 months (possibly renewable for 6 months) for an amount of €20,000 to €100,000 with a fixed rate of 2%.

Emergency Cash Flow Loan for Cultural and Creative Enterprises (Press release of 1 April, in French)

"Belgian Cinema at home"  (Press release of 25 March, in French)

Measures taken in the context of the coronavirus crisis (Press release of the governement of the Wallonia Brussels Federation, 19 March, in French)

More flexible rules for filing applications and signing contracts (Press release 16 March, in French)

Bulgaria

Bulgarian National Film Centre

• The Bulgarian Film Center's work had been switched to digital. Most of the services are now online and every employee is fully equipped to work and service the community online. The same applies to the work of our creative and financial committees and the first on line session of such the distribution committee will take place on Monday, March 30th. The staff of the film center works remotely with two people taking shifts in the office for the most necessary tasks that can not be replaced by digital service.

• In regards to keeping the producers and the crews financially stable for the time being on Friday 20 March all the payments due to ongoing and starting productions were made.
• More measures to come

Croatia

Croatian Audiovisual Centre

• HAVC is running essential functions with most of the team working from home only.  At the moment the building where we are housed in shut down pending an assessment of the damage from the earthquake.

Supports

• A Decision was issued on 20 March that establishes greater flexibility in administering our various programs including:
  • Relaxation of contractual deadlines
  • Streamlining procedures for filing applications managing deadlines and approval procedures
  • Increased focus on getting funding out, especially for development
• Looking at redeployment of resources

Decided on 7 April

• measures by enabling users to obtain documentation through public calls in a manner that requires minimal social contacts, and introduced the possibility of alternatives if the documentation in the otherwise required form could not be obtained for the duration of the crisis.
• The deadlines for calls and the deadlines for fulfilling the beneficiaries' obligations  have been extended.
• Beneficiaries of calls for the promotion of complementary activities are provided with the opportunity to submit program changes.
• The Center also recommends that the profession postpone activities in the audiovisual sector in the face of measures announced by the Civil Protection Staff regarding the epidemic.

Others

• On 24 March the Croatian government announced new financial and regulatory relief measure to address our dual dramatic challenges, COVID and the earthquake in Zagreb. The Ministry of Culture followed with a decree implementing the measures for the cultural sector.
• The Center monitors the actions of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Culture to mitigate the severe effects of crises and develops, together with the Ministry of Culture, possible additional steps to adapt the measures to the needs of the audiovisual sector.

Czech Republic

Czech Film Fund

• The Czech Film Fund`s employees continue to work on-line from their homes with no limitations. Decision making meetings are being held via video-conference.Contracts and payments are being made and carried out without restrictions.

Supports

• The Fund has planned schedule of calls for funding is kept with no delays nor limitations.
• More flexibility has been introduced into the administration and submission of obligatory materials required from the beneficiaries.
• In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Fund is working on a plan to resolve some problematic law requirements that cannot be met by the beneficiaries due to the current crisis.
• Together with the Audiovisual Producers’ Association, the Fund provides legal assistance to all film industry workers regarding the supporting programs and financial help from the government.
• In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Fund is currently working on a plan of automatic support and the increase of its budget.
• The Fund is preparing a plan for „restarting“ the film industry, once the restrictions will be moderated.

Denmark

Danish Film Institute

• The office of the Danish Film Institute is closed since last week and until 14th of April, and employees are working from home. Cinemas are also closed until 14th of April.

Supports

• Funding of development goes on, but production funding of new films is limited.
• The productions which have had to stop are taken care off; the same for festivals, training, etc.
• New distribution initiatives – to screen a film at home - are welcomed and can be funded on individual basis
• In addition :The Danish government has announced 3 compensation programmes – they are not specific earmarked for the AV sector – but the film value chain/entertainment sector is included – incl. that cinemas can be compensated + SMEs etc

DFI Press release of 18 March

https://www.cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/387199/

Estonia

Estonian Film Institute

Finland

Finnish Film Foundation

• The Finnish Film Foundation will guarantee flexibility in terms of the timetables for support use and reporting, inviting recipients to notify it of changes in a timely manner.
• It is currently discussing further measures with Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture.

 https://www.cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/387199/

France

National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image

Administration and procedures

• Online meetings of selective committees (more details here)

Supports

Main measures:

• Cash flow measures for theatres and increased support for the sectors most affected, distribution and cinemas: accelerated payment from March of the Art et Essai grants for the 1,200 classified establishments, accelerated payment in March of selective support to distribution companies
• Assistance to cinemas to adopt the most protective measures against the spread of the virus, by enforcing barrier measures
• Implementation of other support measures and or adaptation of the existing ones (delays in filming)
• Suspension of the tax on exhibitors assigned to the CNC (TSA), in March, for companies that need it
• Rapid adoption of a measure allowing exhibitors, distributors and producers to mobilize their support funds in advance
• Payment of planned subsidies to events cancelled for health reasons

Measures adopted on 1 April

• An exceptional emergency fund for authors who experience a drop in activity of more than 50%, created on the initiative of the SACD (SACD press release), will be financially supported by the CNC. Authors, whose income can be very cyclical and spread over time, will not be able to justify that they meet the conditions to benefit from the Solidarity Fund created by the State (70% drop in activity in March 2020 compared to March 2019 alone, or 50% in April 2020 compared to April 2019 alone), a flat-rate aid of EUR 1 500 may be paid to them if they can justify their loss of income in relation to the average monthly income for the year 2019, or in relation to an even longer reference period which would be better adapted to the cycle of their creations.
• For all companies in the sector - producers, distributors, exhibitors, video publishers, exporters - it is now planned that each structure facing cash flow difficulties that the State measures would not allow it to overcome and which would jeopardize its survival and that of the talent it employs, will be able to mobilize in advance up to 30% of its support account at the CNC, before it is even able to develop its new projects.
• In addition, in order to support technical industries in their investment projects related to the organization of telework and business resumption plans, the CNC is launching a dedicated call for projects.

 Access to films

• Consulting the sector on the exceptional film release arrangements during the covid-19 epidemic (here, in French)

Measures adopted on 1 April:

Immediate public access to new cinema films will be facilitated. As a reminder, article 17 of the emergency law of 23 March 2020 already allowed the President of the CNC to grant, exceptionally, a four-month reduction in the theatrical release time for a video on demand broadcast on a pay-per-view basis or for a DVD release (see here) of films already released in cinemas on 14 March.

• 31 films have, to date, received an authorization for early release on these media (List of films that have received an authorization for early release here).
• The CNC President is authorised to facilitate the distribution of films on demand on video on demand or the exploitation on DVD of films scheduled to be released after the closing of the theatres.
• These two measures in no way call into question the chronology of the media: they simply tend, exceptionally and during the period when cinemas are closed and citizens are confined, to allow the public to have access to new works.

Others

• IFCIC and other gouvernmental measures, see here

• Netflix and Audiens (the social protection group for the cultural sector) launched on 8 April in consultation with the Ministry of Culture via the CNC the creation of an emergency aid fund for intermittent artists and technicians in the audiovisual and film industries.Netflix is contributing €1 million to the creation of this emergency aid fund (see press release in French here).

   

The CNC adopts new emergency measures to enable authors, companies and audiences in the film and audiovisual industries to deal with the health crisis (CNC Press release of 2 April, in French, in German, in English, in Italian, in Spanish)

List of films having benefited from an early release authorisation (CNC Press release of 2 April, in French)

The Minister of Culture presents a first action plan for artist-authors (Press release of 27 March, in French)

All CNC press releases and information related to COVID-19 (in French) here

Press release of 18 March - Covid-19: New announcements from the President of the Republic and the French Government in French, in English and in Spanish
 

Press release of 20 March- Le CNC consultera la filière cinéma sur les modalités exceptionnelles de sortie des films pendant l'épidémie covid-19

Germany

German Federal Film Board

On Thursday 19. March 2020, the executive committee of the FFA decided the following measures to support the industry during the current crisis.

Measures are structured in three categories:

1. Flexibilization of funding conditions

Theatres

- Deferment of reimbursement of loans and payment of levies;
- Suspension of default actions;
- Quick payment of aid and accelerated processing of new applications;

Production/distribution/video

- Extension of delays;
- For postponed project: No reimbursement of already paid subsidies + payment of due instalments;
- For cancelled projects: No pay back of subsidies, if they have already been spent for initially designated purpose and if termination is pandemic-related;

2. Establishment of a specific emergency fund

In addition to securing the already granted funding, the FFA, together with regional funds and BKM, will provide a specific fund in order to cover the corona-related additional costs.
Every funding institution involved in the financing of a project will cover extra-cost pro rata to its financial share.
The maximum amount of this coverage goes from 30% of initial production costs (for production) to 50% of initial costs for distribution and 30% for physical video.

For this fund, the FFA will provide the amount of 7,5M€ from reserves.

3. Flexibilization of media chronology

Existing legal possibilities to shorten or not apply media chronology will be used in a facilitated way. The CEO of the FFA can grant exceptions for specific situations, especially when alternative exploitation complies with interests of both theatres and distributors.

• On 27 March, launch of a specific support programme for the film industry by Federal and regional funds (budget of 15 M€)

Others

• Emergency governmental plan of 50 billion € (see links)

Amended rules on film levy and loan repayments (Press release of 1 April, in German)

Federal and regional funds launch aid programme for the film and media industry (Press release of 27 March, in German)

FFA approves package of measures for the German film and cinema industry (Press release of 19 March, in German)

Federal government decides on emergency aid - Grütters: "Rescue umbrella for the cultural sector"(Federal Government Press release of 23 March, in German)

Support to artists and creative people (Federal Government Press release of 23 March, in German)

Greece

Greek Film Centre

• Scheduled meetings take place online
• GFC offices teleworking since 30 March 2020
• Contracts and payments are made without restrictions
• Where the necessary conditions are met GFC speeds up the payments for films that are in production and accepts the necessary supporting documents electronically, provided they have been certified by a chartered accountant.
• Expediting the procedures and the approval processes for pending productions and development projects.
• Extension of deadlines of completion schedules for the films that are in production.

Supports

A set of additional measures introduced by the Greek Ministry of Culture includes an emergency fund of € 15 million. More specifically:

• Specific Call for proposals for the development of audiovisual content for short films and documentaries. Applications will be handled by the Greek Film Center.
• Specific Call for proposals for the animation industry to enhance the creators as well as the extroversion and the promotion of Greek animation to the international market.
• Specific Call for proposals to the creators of Greek gaming to enhance its extroversion and visibility in the international market.
• Specific Call for proposals for the development and subsidization of Digital Culture actions, with the twofold objective: To stimulate the market and enhance relevant professions and to create a digital cultural product, which may be readily available.
• Emergency financial aid to independent cinema owners to remedy the imbalance caused by the interruption of their economic activity. Cinemas must meet two conditions: they must be a two-screen cinema theatre and during 2019-2020 season at least two (2) Greek / European films should be part of their programming.
• Excess financial aid to the organizations and institutions supervised by the Ministry of Culture for awarding works to Greek creative artists (artists, directors, composers, actors, screenwriters, etc.)

Horizontal measures (audiovisual sector included)

For employees with suspended employment contracts and self-employed professionals:
• Special purpose compensation of € 800 for 45 days (fixed-term employment contracts included)
• Full coverage of insurance contributions on nominal wages
• Suspension for 4 months payment of certified debts in March-April, with a discount of 25% if paid in due time

For Businesses:
• Suspension of payment till August 2020 on VAT declarations and installments of confirmed debts of March- April
• 25% discount for March-April installment payments if paid in due time
• Suspension of payment of employee insurance contributions.
• Provides liquidity to small and medium-sized enterprises that have been severely affected by their financial activity through the “repayment” financing scheme

Hungary

National Film Institute

National Film Institute launched the Emergency Fund to support freelance film industry workers and rescheduled the financing of ongoing projects. The application system is continuously in operation, the 30% tax rebate is constantly available for all productions to be filmed in Hungary.

Emergency Measures to Support Hungary’s Screen Industry

Iceland

Icelandic Film Centre

• Willingness "to adopt extra provisions to increase flexibility", but specific actions will be announced after due consideration.

 https://www.cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/387199/

Italy

Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism (MIBACT) - Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual

Administration and procedures

• DGCA offices teleworking since 9 March 2020
• Online committee meetings

Supports

• The Italian government has taken extraordinary measures (130M€) for the sector (cinema, entertainment) to support professionals and businesses hit by the emergency
• The DG Cinema is accelerating the payments of ordinary funded aids from Cinema Law.That involves tax credit measures (€100m for 2019/2020), €100m to facilitate investments in new and renovated cinemas, €10m for art-house cinemas.
• Contribution to entertainment workers who have no other source of income
• Coupons to reimburse cinema tickets
• Release of funds previously frozen
• Suspension of terms and deadlines for applications
• Post-emergency internationalisation campaign
• Revision of the rules on media chronology
• Suspension of tax obligations (for all sectors)
• Extension of the SME Guarantee Fund (for all sectors)

Ireland

Screen Ireland

Supports

• Initial range of measures:
• providing 90% funding upfront on all development loans to Irish screenwriters and production companies through to 31st May 2020.
• Existing development and production loan offers which are due to expire in the coming months will all be extended to 31st May 2020.
• providing additional marketing and distribution support for upcoming Irish film and TV releases during this period.
• continuing to provide skills development opportunities for industry practitioners, with Screen Skills Ireland delivering some of its planned activity for 2020 online free-of-charge over the next 6-10 weeks.

Announced on 3 April

• revised guidelines across feature film development funding categories, in order to make the application process easier and more streamlined for Irish filmmakers.
• improving the process for applying for Additional Feature Film Development, aimed at helping producers to maintain momentum during the development process.
• more concise application requirements for Feature Film Development (formerly Project Development) funding and Screenplay Development
• an Additional Feature Film Development fund specifically for projects already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding.

Screen Ireland Announces New Guidelines For Feature Film Development Support (Press release of 3 April)

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland commits to initial measures to support the Irish creative screen industries impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)  (Press release of 18 March)

Latvia

National Film Centre of Latvia

The Netherlands

Netherlands Film Fund

Overview of NFF COVID-19 Support Measures (in English)

Supports

1.Film productions
As a public financier, trying to limit project-related damage in subsidized film productions as much as possible by:
• leniency in the fulfillment of conditions and obligations, so that projects are given room to respond to changes in production, delivery and release, looking at flexibility in subsidy periods and advance payments.
• based on an inventory of bottlenecks for specific projects, we will take additional measures where possible. This could include (bridge) financing for demonstrable extra costs as a result of postponement of (pre) production and recordings, including the affected crew and cast, and redistribution and marketing for films whose release has been postponed.
• producers of current productions are asked to contact Mr. Maarten Wijdenes directly at the Fund about the bottlenecks you encounter. Please contact him at:

2. Film festivals
In case film festivals are cancelled, the Fund will not adhere to the performance obligations normally connected to the grant conditions. We will also look where extra support is needed for festival organizations, whose survival is at stake due to loss of income.

https://www.filmfonds.nl/...

https://www.cineuropa.org/...

North Macedonia

North Macedonia Film Agency

Supports

• The Agency has distributed a questionnaire to every supported producer, with projects that are in post-production or finished in order to gain more insight which are the most affected areas that need to be addressed.After receiving great feedback we have selected projects by priority and have decided to transfer funds for projects that are completed or in the process of completion; They are requested to use these funds primarily to cover their contractual costs towards freelancers etc. North Macedonia Film Agency has so far transferred funds for film projects in the production stage and those that are in their final stage of realization( completed or expected to be completed soon).Implementing this measure, the Agency has paid a total of 27 film projects over the past two days.
• In these extraordinary circumstances, no premieres or other public events can be organized, so their reports on expenditures will be subsequently reviewed
• Sent a written request to the Ministry of culture in order for them to help us find a legal model to offer one-off assistance to independent filmmakers. To this end, a Commission has been set up by the Macedonian Film Professionals’ Association and the North Macedonia Film Agency to work on finding a legal framework and reviewing the possibility of direct remuneration for filmmakers; This is only the first urgent measure, and depending on the duration of this crisis, the North Macedonia Film Agency and the Macedonian Film Professionals’ Association will join their efforts to find other measures to provide direct financial assistance to filmmakers.

Norway

Norwegian Film Institute

Supports

• decision not to claim back sums spent on planning events, productions or projects that cannot be completed owing to the virus outbreak.
• To support the industry in the difficulties due to the corona situation, NFI is making several changes to its funding schemes (more details here)
• Due to the corona crisis, NFI will grant an additional NOK 14 million to develop new films, games and drama series (more details here).

Others

• the Ministry of Culture approved a 300 million Norwegian crown (€23.8 million) compensation scheme to alleviate the cultural industries’ losses caused by plummeting ticket sales, participation fees and other related expenses. Further measures are being considered and will be announced as soon as possible.

Poland

Polish Film Institute

Administration and procedures

• PFI set up a task force to monitor and resolve the crisis
• All employees work from a home office, no limitations to the administrative work, all decision making meetings will be held via video-conference
• Contracts and payments are made without restrictions

Supports

• Efforts to receive a special budget from the government to compensate for the additional costs of postponed or interrupted productions
• A new law will be adopted to postpone deadlines
• An additional call for development schemes and extra money for development and screenwriting
• Flexibility on many formal requirements
• Implementation of measures to counter effects of suspension or cancellation of audiovisual projects

Portugal

Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual

Supports

• ICA will maintain the planned closing dates for the calls for cinema and audiovisual support in 2020.
• The ICA will maintain and, where possible, speed up the procedures concerning the grant of cinema and audiovisual support.
• In the ongoing processes each situation will be analyzed, on a case-by-case basis, privileging a protectionist action of the candidates and/or beneficiaries, through the application of the regulations, although with flexibility of some formal requirements.
• For the time being, the ICA foresees the possibility of flexibility in the execution of the distribution and exhibition plans supported in the scope of the ICA film support programmes and the rules of support for the realization of film festivals in the national territory.
• The need to maintain general obligations for the beneficiaries of support, namely the need to ensure compliance with the remuneration obligations towards creative, artistic staff or any other worker involved in the implementation of the project, is highlighted.
• Now the possibility for cinematographic works to have initial exploitation on television or on on-demand audiovisual media services.
• Suspending until further notice, and including the month of March, the obligation on exhibitors to retain 7.5% of the sale price of cinema tickets to the public.
• Amendments to the regulations of the support programmes in order to increase their flexibility: summary in English
• Additional measures announced on 7 April (summary in English here)

ICA exceptional measures to be applied for a transitional period (Press released of 25 March, in Portuguese, summary in English here) - Updated on 7 April (see summary in English here)

Q&A about exceptional measures (Press release of 18 March, in Portuguese)

Slovakia

Slovak Audiovisual Fund

Administration and procedures

• Although the work of the Office of the fund has gone on-line (no physical meeting with the public, employees working from home and cancellation of any scheduled meetings) its work continues with all its major activities and contacts with the applicants on-line or by phone

Supports

• For cinemas/events and distributors that face the harshest immediate consequences (they were forced to be closed/cancelled/suspend their activities by the state): there are horizontal measures prepared on the level of state for example by the Ministry of Economy (possible exemption from social and health care contributions for employees affected); also the fund is planning case by case according to individual needs of the companies to apply some of the following measures (e.g. admission of certain expenses even when an event is cancelled or moved, postponement of payments for loans or levies, specific short-term loans to small cinemas)
• For productions: flexibility in adjusting the projects including their timelines and other measures (for example postponement of the payments of the loans)
• Funding activities: this will continue with several limitations (including postponement of the presentations of the projects before commissions, administrative flexibility when submitting the applications, applying for support)
• Continuous evaluation of the situation by the fund with possible other measures to be taken in the near future, also based on the suggestion by the sector that we are collecting and reflecting on.

Press release of 17 March (in Slovakian)

Spain

Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts

Supports

• The Spanish Film and Audiovisual Arts Institute (ICAA) provides flexibility in certain obligations and deadlines for aids of the Film Protection Fund:
  o Streamlining of in progress aids pending payments.
  o Maintenance the aid lines planned for 2020 adapted to the circumstances of the Covid-19 crisis.

Government plan

Governmental plan for COVID19 to support all economic sectors, including audiovisual:

• Approval of a line of guarantees (100.000 million euros) in order to improve the economic liquidity for companies, among others, the cultural sector.The first activated tranche has an amount of 20.000 million euros, 50 % for the loan guarantee of the self-employed and SMEs.
• Flexibility of the Temporary Employment Regulation Files (ERTEs): During the State of Emergency, the enterprises can suspend contracts or shorten their employees’ working hours. In these cases, the unemployment benefit is guaranteed, even if the employee does not comply with the minimum contributory period required. Additionally, time consumed under this benefit will not be taken into account. When the activity is restarted, in the case of temporary contracts (mainly in film an audiovisual arts because of a high variability or seasonlity of employment), the commitment to maintain employment shall not be considered breached when the contract finishes due to the expiration of the agreed time or the performance of the work or service. It usually happens both in film shoots.
• Support to self-employment: Extraordinary benefit for cessation of activity to the self-employed. All freelancers who suspend their activities or face a 75% loss of their incomes have the right to an extraordinary benefit due to cessation of activities, this benefit will be equal to the 70% of their contribution bases. In that situation, they will be exempt to pay social security contributions.
• Suspension of administrative procedure and deadlines, included film rating.
• Measures to support work from home.
• Help SMES for digital development.

Access to films

• The Ministry of Culture and Sports promote the access to online culture through a new campaign #LaCulturaEnTuCasa
• The Spanish Film Archive is promoting the diffusion through films of the Spanish cinematographic heritage and complementary activities.
• The Ministry of Culture and Sports is working on a campaign to support culture to attract citizens to cultural activity, when the COVID-19 crisis finished.
  
  

https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/cultura/areas/cine/inicio.htm

• Royal Decree-law 8/2020: Extraordinary measures to face the economic and social impact of COVID-19 (18/3/2020)
• Royal Decree-law 9/2020: Complementary working measures to mitigate the effects from COVID-19 (28/3/2020)
• Royal Decree-law 11/2020: Urgent complementary measures in the social and economic field to deal with COVID-19 (1/4/2020)

Sweden

Swedish Film Institute

Supports

• Delayed time limits
• Opened for re-applications for distribution of new films
• Declared that we will not claim costs due to supported events that was cancelled due to the virus
• Adjustments of support schemes will be dediced. Main objectives: to keep the industry working, to uphold all support schemes and to look into the situations for productions that right now have been stoped or were due to start shooting in other countries.

Switzerland

The Federal Office for Culture

Supports

• Overview of support to persons and companies in the Swiss film industry (in French and in German)
• Film festivals: The Fund will continue to support the festivals, no matter if the festivals has to be cancelled or not. In case film festivals are cancelled, the Fund will not adhere to the performance obligations normally connected to the grant conditions. We will also look where extra support is needed for festival organizations, whose survival is at stake due to loss of income.
• Production: additional funding for film production in case of postponed shooting or additional costs due to cancelled shootings. Additional financing will be proportional to the financial participation of the Fund (other funding bodies are applying the same criteria).
• In general: for private companies/independent workers and employed persons in general: urgent measures regarding bridging funds and social security have been taken (opening up social security systems).

Others

• Governement: "The Federal Council wants to prevent lasting damage to Switzerland's cultural landscape and to maintain the country's cultural diversity. Immediate aid and compensation should help to alleviate the economic consequences of the ban on events for the cultural world (performing arts, design, film, visual arts, literature, music and museums). An initial tranche of CHF 280 million will be made available." This is in addition to the ordinary labour market measures (which are aimed at both the independent hairdresser and the independent box office film producer). This sum will be used to finance the financial gap of non-State cultural institutions (festivals, music agencies, cinemas, etc.) for expenses such as rent, leasing of essential equipment, loss of income, etc.

All press releases related to cinema support during COVID-19 (in French, German and Italian)

Overview of support to persons and companies in the Swiss film industry (Press release of 9 April, in French and in German)

https://www.admin.ch/...

UK

British Film Institute

• BFI announced £4.6m support package for UK film industry on 9 April (all details here)
  
• The BFI has set up a Covid-19 Response Screen Sector Taskforce, a forum to discuss priority issues and concerns from across the sector. The BFI is also involved in the dialogue with Government to present critical issues and concerns from the film sector.
• The BFI is being as supportive as possible with partner and beneficiaries across all existing funding arrangements, including flexibility on both delivery targets until business returns to normal, and of scheduling of payment to partners and beneficiaries to help their cash flow. It is also keeping the industry updated with details of all the Government measures which can be accessed by the businesses and individuals who work in our sector.
• All UK cinemas remain closed.
• All UK film and high end TV productions are suspended. Projects eligible under creative sector tax reliefs are able to claim the relief up until the point of abandonment.
• On 24 March, the BFI announced a new partnership with The Film and TV Charity to create a new COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund. Established with a £1m donation from Netflix and a further £0.5M contribution from the BBC and BBC Studios, the new fund will provide emergency short-term relief to active workers and freelancers in the UK who have been directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Further details on eligibility criteria and how to apply will be published in early April.

Others

• On 26 March, the Chancellor announced further grants for self-employed free-lancers and sole traders covering up to 80% of their average monthly profits. The scheme will be ready in June.
• On 17 March, the Chancellor announced a £330 billion package of support for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Support will be available to businesses of all sizes in the form of cash grants, loans and tax and/or business rates holidays. This follows details in the 2020 Budget, detailing support for public services, individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

BFI reveals £4.6m support package for UK film industry (Press release of 9 April)

New Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund set up

Statement by Ben Roberts, BFI CEO

COVID-19 Q&A