The tough weather in hard numbers - economic research Dutch film industry

Are these the figures that will make it clear to Minister Kamp that incentives for the film industry really need to happen? That hope could be heard during the discussion of a report by Oxford Economics implemented research to the economic position of the Dutch film and av industry. The study was commissioned by the Dutch film industry (producers, exhibitors, distributors) and the Film Fund.

The results were presented at the Netherlands Film Festival on Sunday. It is not five before, but already five past twelve, concluded Michael Lambrechtsen, director of the Netherlands Association of Film Distributors. While the cinema sector is doing well and audiences appreciate Dutch films, production is in dire straits. It is not a new story, but the report fleshes it out with lots of figures and comparisons with other European countries.

Employment in this sector is declining in the Netherlands, partly because much post-production is disappearing abroad. Illustrative is How expensive was the sugar, the festival's opening film shot and finished entirely in South Africa. Of course, we understand that we shouldn't be in Flevoland for shooting sugar plantations, but the finishing could very well have taken place in the Netherlands. However, South Africa has tax measures that automatically increase the budget there by 30%.

Many European countries also have such fiscal measures that are lacking here. This makes international productions pass the Netherlands by, while, in addition, Dutch jobs drain abroad. Producer Stienette Bosklopper noted that the Netherlands is becoming increasingly isolated. She herself gets on average 40% of her budget from abroad, but the willingness of co-producers to work with the Netherlands will decrease if we have too little to offer. The limit of the goodwill we have abroad has been reached, also believes Film Fund director Doreen Boonekamp. Another marvelled at the fact that the government makes the creative industry a spearhead, but does not put film on the radar in this respect.

The research report clearly shows that the Netherlands is among the laggards. In countries such as Ireland, Belgium, France and Germany, employment in the film and av sector is increasing sharply, while in the Netherlands it is decreasing. Another graph shows a clear positive correlation between government support and employment. Dutch government support for film production is much lower (per capita) than in the aforementioned countries. And for those who fear it is all a bottomless pit: according to Oxford Economics, tax incentives may very well be treasury-neutral, as increasing production activity generates more tax revenue. See further the research report Whether the summary of this.

Meanwhile, everyone is eagerly awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the ministries of OCW, EZ and Finance into a tax shelter for the film sector. This follows a motion to this effect tabled by MPs Bergkamp and Monasch, which was adopted on 3 July. The result should be announced by 7 October at the latest.