Most people agree that Sweden needs a new film policy - both in the film industry and in politics. The bill is long-awaited, but Eva Hamilton, chairwoman of the Swedish Film and TV Producers, does not dare to have high expectations.
We don't know yet, but we fear that it will be a rather watered-down story, she says.
In March last year, a government film inquiry presented proposals that, among other things, suggested reduced VAT on cinema tickets and a strengthened fund for Swedish film production, partly financed through a fee from streaming companies.
The inquiry was welcomed with open arms by the film industry. "Good proposals," said Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M). But Hamilton believes that many of the points have been difficult to translate into legislative proposals.
I hope we're wrong, but that's what we suspect right now.
Facing the election
Jakob Abrahamsson, CEO of the distribution company Nonstop Entertainment, hopes that several proposals from the investigation will be implemented.
But the catch is that we are facing an election this fall, so whatever is decided now will end up in the lap of a new government that, regardless of which side it is on, will be forced to agree with several parties on budget priorities. And it's hard to believe that anyone thinks film is a top priority, he says.
Abrahamsson believes that several heavy issues are being postponed to the future and that the investigation can be broken up into smaller pieces. He believes that some parts, such as the "Netflix tax" and cinema VAT, can be sent back for reconsideration.
“A little watered down”
There may be measures against illegal IP TV, which was added to the film investigation last fall.
But there are also rumors that the Tidö Group is not completely in agreement. If it comes, I will be happy, but I would guess that it will also be pushed forward and be a bit watered down, says Jacob Abrahamsson.
The question then becomes what the Minister of Culture has left in the box. Abrahamsson notes that the presentation coincides with the first day of Bergman Week.
A slightly conspiratorial guess is that it might be something about film history. Not that I don't like Swedish film history, but it would be deeply ironic if we ended up with something about the past now when we need a boost into the future.
1. A new film fund in the Swedish Film Institute. The fund will be financed by the state, cinema owners and streaming services together. It "should have" a budget of 300 million kronor and will be located in the Swedish Film Institute. It will include both "reformed production incentives" for film productions in Sweden and new support for Swedish film.
Unlike previously, the incentives should prioritize productions in the Swedish language or in the national minority languages, according to the investigation.
2. Lowered cinema VAT, from 25 to 6 percent, to make it less expensive to go to the cinema. At the same time, a new fee is being introduced for cinema owners, who will pay 10 percent of ticket revenue to the new film fund.
3. A new fee on streaming services that will require them to pay 1.5 percent of annual turnover.
4. A national film heritage center will be costed.
5. New film policy goals: a broad range of high-quality films, films that are shown throughout the country, Swedish films that reach a large audience, and a film heritage that is preserved and used.
