producTion guide poland 2013

62
producTion guide poland 2013 | film funding
efficient search for appropriate locations,
effective help in obtaining access to these locations,
effective help in obtaining necessary permits/authorizations,
connecting the producer with potential partners, such as institutions offering financial
support, production companies, service providers, filmmakers and professionals,
providing logistic support,
help in solving problems at every stage of production,
putting the producer in touch with local film commissions and film offices.
Presently, there are seven film commissions in Poland: in the Lower Silesia, Małopolska,
Mazovia, Silesia and Wielkopolska regions and in the cities of Łódź and Poznań. More
commissions are currently being organized in other cities and regions.
regional film funds
Poland has a well-developed network of regional film funds, covering almost the entire area of
the country with its activity. Currently, there are eleven funds, but authorities in regions not yet
covered by the activity of the funds have announced their intent to start three new funds in
the near future.
Typically, Polish regional film funds search for film projects by announcing competitions.
The basic condition for participating in a competition is a connection of the project with
the given city or region by means of the topic of the film, its setting, or participation of local
people and companies in its production. Institutions organizing these competitions want to
strengthen the positive image of the particular city or region. Therefore, the projects using
locations and facilities within the city or region receive best evaluation results.
Polish regional film funds differ in the amount of the budgets at their disposal, the form of
support they provide, and the sum to be spent in the city or the region during the production of
the film. All of these specifics are quoted in their regulations.
The most common form of support is participation of the institution managing the fund in
the production as co-producer with its own financial or material input. Other forms are either
a non-repayable grant or a refund, i.e. partial reimbursement of expenses after the completion
of production. All Polish funds provide support of up to 50% of the film budget, although, in
cases of documentaries or animations, the subsidy may be higher.
Contests run by regional film funds are usually announced once a year, and evaluation of
projects and allocation of support takes from 30 to 90 days. Foreign producers are also invited
to participate in the competition, but preferably as partners of Polish producers. All paperwork
required to participate in a contest must be filled out in Polish.
Table of conTenTs company index