The Algerian government has formally abolished the film industry’s finance fund (FDATIC), originally intended for every stage of film production, from writing to post-production, distribution and theatrical release. Film archives and events also benefited. Faced with the end of this, the only public film finance, industry professionals are worried, criticising the lack of transparency which has characterised this reform.
Since then the social networks have been mobilized under the hashtag #Tahia_Ya_Cinéma, inspired by Mohamed Zinet’s film Tahia ya Didou. Many well-known personalities are angry, alerting public opinion.
APAC (Association des producteurs algériens du cinéma) decided to write to Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune: “We are addressing you personally, Mr. President, not only as the country’s highest authority, but also as defender of the national film industry, since in your speeches you have often called for its development.” APAC lists the risks which his decision could have on the sector: “without state support for film production, without the urgent creation of initial but also continuous training for film professionals, without measures regulating distribution (private and public television channels, platforms, cinemas and others), our industry risks greater fragility, possibly even disappearing from the Algerian cultural landscape.”
Back in 2020 APAC’s concerns were already being voiced: during a conference at the Algerian Cinémathèque, the association’s director Belkacem Hadjajd expressed his fear of “the deterioration of the cinema sector.”
Sources: El Watan, 24H, Reporters, Ministère de la Culture, L’Expression
