Italian vice-premier proposes new cultural organisation with openings for the private sector Biennale president Gianluigi Rondi is well aware of the rather bureaucratic attitudes the 23-year-old state-owned organisation is suffering from. Besides film, the gigantic Biennale structure also has departments that deal with other art forms such as music, theatre, architecture and fine arts.
This week, Italy's vice-premier Wal-ter Veltoni presented plans for a new "Società di cultura" that would be open - up to a maximum stake of 40% - to the private sector.
As Veltoni sees it, the new structure would consist of "two slim committees: one administrative and one scientific".
Its president would be nominated by the Italian cultural affairs minister and other committee members, while operative decisions can be taken by committees with private financiers able to hold an administrative position.
Veltoni's proposal is met with opposition from the CCD Party, which favours sponsorship without changing the overall structure, thus allowing continuing domination from local politicians.
Veltroni's proposal can probably count on large support as it will introduce a new way of political thinking about film in Italy. Veltroni also has a new film law ready with a budget of around 700 billion Lira. A major part of the funding will have to come from television - something the TV people attending the press conference did not welcome. While 20% of ad revenue from public television has to be reinvested in feature or TV films, 30% of ad revenue from private broadcasters also has to be put in production.
The government will also take initiatives for a new and more varied pricing policy for cinema admissions.
Ivo Bonacorsi
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