The state support of Czech film:
On thin ice between commercialism and art?

Prague, June 27, 2011 – During the 46TH edition of the Karlovy Vary international film festival the Czech Film Center organizes the panel discussion The state support of Czech film: On thin ice between commercialism and art?
The discussion, moderated by screenwriter and script editor Jan Štern, will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at 3:30 p.m. at Press Conference Hall, Hotel Thermal.

The way the national film support functions is also reflected over the long term in the cinematography of the given country.
What is the role and influence of the State Fund in the creation of Czech cinema? Does it merely “hand out” money or does its selection also determine which films get made, thereby building a “brand” of Czech film?

The discussion will be held in connection with the debate of the new Czech audiovisual law, which also includes the reform of the State Fund for the Support and Development of Czech Cinematography, which is the most important source for the support of screenplays and the production of Czech films.

Representatives from the film industry from the Czech Republic and neighbouring Germany will be sitting on the panel in order to discuss the old and new structures of the fund, their visions and specific experiences from abroad:

• Tereza Dvořáková (Member of the SF Council)
• Helena Fraňková (Director of the Media and Audiovisual Department of the Czech Ministry of Culture)
• Václav Kadrnka (Director, Screenwriter and Producer)
• Kirsten Niehuus (Executive Director of Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg)