CNC Bolsters Support for Arthouse Films

France’s CNC has introduced a series of reforms to boost distribution of arthouse cinema in the country, which will roll out over the next two years.

Scroll down for the top 10 arthouse releases in France in 2024

The annual budget for France’s “le cinéma art et essai” has been set at €19m for 2024, a €1m increase from the previous year. The funding aims to better reward exhibitors who show “fragile” arthouse films and support the marketing of these titles, particularly among the 15-25 age demographic.

The reforms include changes to the criteria for the classification system used to designate cinemas as ‘arthouse’ and an updated formula for allocating funding to theatres. Under the new system, more money will be allocated to cinemas screening “risky” programming, such as experimental, low-budget films. More successful arthouse films, defined as those with over 750,000 admissions, will be deprioritised in favor of titles released in fewer than 80 cinemas countrywide.

A cinema’s designation as an arthouse theatre will now be determined by the CNC president, following a recommendation from the arthouse film committee, which will have more power to decide on funding allocations. The committee comprises 20 members, including government officials and industry figures.

New categories have been created to bolster marketing efforts, including labels for films aimed at 15-25 year olds and short films, joining existing labels such as “young audiences”, “research and discovery” and “heritage” films.

In the past, smaller arthouse titles have struggled to attract audiences, making cinemas hesitant to book them. Recently, distributors Urban Distribution and Rezo Films exited the independent distribution space due to declining ticket sales.

2024 successes

Despite Hollywood blockbusters and local hits dominating the French box office, several arthouse titles have performed strongly, including Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone Of Interest , Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow , and Poor Things . Local films like Daaaaaali! , The Second Act , and Boléro have also seen success.

However, this year’s arthouse titles have performed significantly less well than those released in 2023, which saw several arthouse titles sell over one million tickets, led by Anatomy Of A Fall , Father & Soldier , and The Animal Kingdom .

A few upcoming titles could potentially challenge this year’s best performing arthouse title, The Zone Of Interest , which has sold around 800,000 tickets so far. These titles include Jacques Audiard’s Cannes Competition film Emilia Perez, which has been designated as an arthouse film and a ‘coup de coeur’ for the 15-25 age category.

In conclusion, the reforms aimed at boosting arthouse cinema distribution in France are expected to improve the market for smaller, experimental films, but it remains to be seen whether they will be enough to overcome the challenges faced by these titles in attracting audiences.

Conclusion

The French CNC’s reforms are designed to support the distribution and marketing of arthouse cinema in France. With increased funding, changes to the classification system, and new marketing categories, these changes are intended to boost the visibility and attendance at arthouse films.

FAQs

What is the budget for arthouse cinema in France for 2024?

€19m

What is the main objective of the CNC’s reforms?

To boost the distribution and marketing of arthouse cinema in France.

How will the CNC decide on funding allocations for arthouse films?

The CNC president, in consultation with the arthouse film committee, will make funding decisions based on criteria such as the film’s ‘risk’ factor and its potential audience appeal.

What new marketing categories has the CNC introduced?

New labels for films aimed at 15-25 year olds and short films have been created to support marketing efforts.

Why have some smaller distributors, like Urban Distribution and Rezo Films, exited the independent distribution space?

Due to struggling ticket sales and declining revenue.