Currently, the state policy in audio-visual and interactive media is carried out through the Ministry for Culture (film and video) and the National Television and Radio Council (TV and radio). In each of these supervisions, appropriate state programmes and specific policies are adopted to promote the country’s audio-visual and interactive media industry.
Within the framework of the State Programme for the Development of Azerbaijani Cinema for 2008-2018 (№ 2961 of August 4, 2008):
- the material and technical base of cinemas has been significantly strengthened, including the construction of a new building with the latest technological equipment for the State Film Fund and the reconstruction of the Nizami Cinema Centre to world standards.
- Film production has been improved by the state order, and various projects aimed at strengthening the human resources potential of national cinema have been implemented.
- More than 300 films have been made in public and private studios with the state order and financial support. In addition, many screen works have been awarded various prizes at international film festivals.
To ensure the implementation of the Order of the President On Some Measures Related to the Development of Azerbaijani Cinema (№ 1007 of March 1, 2019) a technical base for the Azerbaijan-film studio named after Jabbarli was reconstructed to the latest standards and modern cinematographic equipment was purchased.
The draft Concept for the Development of Azerbaijani Cinematography, prepared by the Ministry for Culture, taking into account the proposals of the Union of Cinematographers and other specialised departments, is being agreed upon with the relevant state structures.
Preparatory work is underway to create the Film Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), to attract investment to the national film industry, attract foreign partners, and thus achieve convergence of the private and public sectors.
To implement the Presidential Order On Providing One-time Financial Assistance to Private National TV and Radio Broadcasters in the Republic of Azerbaijan (№896 of January 17, 2019), 3 million AZN was allocated to private national TV and radio broadcasters.
In 2020, The National Television and Radio Council conducted a study titled the “Current state of the audio-visual industry in Azerbaijan; forecasts and objectives”. The study shows that educational programmes and projects dominate the programme basket of AZTV, MADANIYYET TV, IDMAN TV, and ITV, funded from the state budget. Moreover, during the pandemic, such TV lessons were of exceptional importance to the country’s schoolchildren as they continued their distance (or online) education.
The TV and Radio Academy, established on June 14, 2010, is located in the building of Azerbaijan Radio. The material and technical base of the academy has been formed, filming, and editing equipment has been installed, filming pavilions and a recording studio have been established. The purpose of establishing the academy is to train professional TV and radio specialists to higher education standard, to improve employees’ skills. Along with local scientists and specialists, TV specialists from Turkey, Russia, European countries, and the United States are invited to teach at the academy.
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