Nearly a year ago, swine flu hit Mexico, and as global concerns of a pandemic grew, the country briefly ground to a halt. Schools closed, and public transport stopped. Even movie theatres closed for up to three weeks across the country, hampering the premieres of X
A Government appointed group has reported that significant savings could be made if the Irish Film Board was disbanded. An Bord Snip Nua, an influential cost-cutting body, has also suggested that the 481 tax break, which provided USD46.5 million to the industry in 2008, should be axed.
The state of Louisiana has increased its Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit from 25% to 30%, with an additional 5% for local hires (capped at the first USD1 million). It has also eliminated the planned phase-down of the tax credit programme.
The UK Film Council is launching a new pilot scheme that will bring the latest digital cinema equipment to rural areas to give more film fans in remote communities the chance to enjoy the communal experience of cinema.
As of Tuesday, June 30, 2009, New York City’s "Made in NY" tax credit for qualified film and television production – the only one of its kind administered by a city in the US – has reached its full allocation of USD192.5 million and funds are no longer available for new applications.
The Screen Australia Board has decided to reduce the cap on its investment per feature film project from USD5 million to USD3 million (or $3.5 million in exceptional circumstances). The Board was of the view that USD5 million for a single project would account for too high a percentage of available funds, given Screen Australia's reduced appropriation in 2009/10.
Screen Australia has announced support for five feature films generating USD38.9 million worth of production.
Advertising professionals and advertisers from across the world are preparing to attend the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, which takes place on 21 to 27 June.