The Film Promotion Act (1998) regulates the Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI). The ÖFI supports films as cultural goods and Austrian filmmaking by allocating subsidies for Austrian films, e.g. for filmmakers and producers, as well as international co-productions. The ÖFI also supports film distribution and cinemas. 15% of the annual budget (amounting to a total of EUR 20 million) is dedicated to the promotion of young film makers and producers. Members of the Austrian Film Institute select the projects. The ÖFI strengthens the economic basis of the Austrian film sector as a pre-condition for the success of Austrian films nationwide and abroad. The law stipulates the publication of an annual report on the Austrian film economy by the Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI). Furthermore, this amendment contains new provisions on video and television broadcasting rights and deadlines for the restitution of rights.
The Film Television Agreement (Film / Fernseh-Abkommen 1981, amended 2011) was signed by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), and by the Austrian Film Institute to promote and support Austrian films with funds from the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, amounting to 8 million EUR per year. It guarantees the future funding of domestic films and the financial responsibility of the statutory broadcaster.
In accordance with an amendment to the KommAustria Act (2001), an Austrian Television Endowment Fund (Fernsehfonds Austria) was set up. The fund receives an annual endowment (7.5 million EUR) and is derived from broadcasting fees to support the production of Austrian television films, series and documentaries. It is administrated by the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR), which acts as the operative arm of the Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria).
The Federal Constitutional Act on Guaranteeing the Independence of Broadcasting (1974) defines broadcasting as a public responsibility which has to be taken with due respect for the aims and principles of objectivity, impartiality and diversity of opinions.
The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation Act (ORF-Gesetz, 1984; 2018) requires, among other things, educational tasks. The ORF is – as the national public-service broadcaster – financed by fees, allocated together with the arts promotion contribution (Kunstförderungsbeitrag, see chapter 4.1.2).
A fund for the promotion of noncommercial private broadcasting, created in 2009, is administered by the RTR company and receives EUR 3 million annually from part of the fees under the Broadcasting Fees Act (1999; 2013), which previously went into the federal budget. The support fund serves the promotion of non-commercial broadcasting within Austria’s dual broadcasting system and is intended to support broadcasting operators in the provision of high-value, multifaceted programming.
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