Written by new-contact on May 27, 2014. Posted in Interviews

Valérie Lépine-Karnik appointed new Chief Executive Officer of Film France

Valérie Lépine-Karnik has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Film France, taking over from Patrick Lamassoure. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and part of her focus will be on boosting France’s appeal for international producers.

Lépine-Karnik has spent the past seven years as Deputy Director of the Cinema Department at the French National Center for Cinema. Before that she was Director General of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

“Taking the job at Film France was very attractive as it is essentially a convergence of my last two positions,” she told The Location Guide: “I have a lot of experience with the domestic market in France and I’ve also worked extensively in the international industry. All the skills I’ve developed so far and the contacts I’ve acquired along the way are a good fit for my new role with Film France.”

Lépine-Karnik plans to forge greater unity between the different regions of France and raise the profiles of parts of the country that have had less media attention in recent years. This extends to boosting local production industries to help stimulate regional economies.

On an international level, Lépine-Karnik will focus on bringing more overseas production to France.

France has proven that productions can be even cheaper, especially in the animation sector. French crew are highly skilled and provide extremely good screen value.

Valérie Lépine-Karnik, CEO of Film France

“The TRIP (Tax Rebate for International Productions) has been improved in recent months and is still the main draw bringing international producers to France,” she adds: “Because of the very high skill set of French crews, France is no more expensive than our European neighbours. France has proven that productions can be even cheaper, especially in the animation sector. French crew are highly skilled and provide extremely good screen value.”

Lépine-Karnik also considers Asia a fertile international market with clear growth opportunities for French production. France already has co-production agreements in place with countries including Cambodia, South Korea, India and China, and will be looking to build on these relationships.