MAY 15: VOTE YES ON THE FILM ACT!

What is the new Film Act?

The Film Act is a proposal put forward by the Swiss Federal Council that received a parliamentary majority last September. All parties from both the right and the left supported the proposal, with the exception of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). The law provides that streaming platforms (Disney+, Netflix, Amazon), as well as foreign advertising windows (TF1, M6, C8), reinvest 4% of their gross revenues generated in Switzerland into Swiss production, as is already the case today for Swiss television channels. In addition, platforms will have to broadcast at least 30% European films, as is already the standard in European countries. The youth sections of the FDP, SVP and GLP have launched a referendum against the law.

Why is a new Film Act necessary?

The principle behind the new Film Act is simple: any company that broadcasts films and series, regardless of the technology it uses to do so, should invest in our film industry. Swiss television channels already successfully invest 4% of their revenues in Swiss films and series. This investment obligation must now be extended to foreign platforms and broadcasters that benefit from an advantage in our market compared with Swiss broadcasting companies.

This would, on the one hand, allow us to adapt our legislation to new broadcasters and modern audiovisual consumption habits. On the other hand, it would help restore the disadvantage faced by our industry compared with European countries — our main co-production partners — which already have similar investment obligations.

More information: www.loi-sur-le-cinema.ch/arguments