STATE SUPPORT FOR CO-PRRODUCTIONS

For 2016 the secured amount of the state support for the Bulgarian film industry is aprox. EUR 6 750 000 (BGN 13 200 000). According the Film Industry Act:

• at least 80 % (EUR 5 400 000 for 2016) of the funding is for all type of film production (feature film, documentaries, animation + minority co-productions). Up to 20 % of this  amount (aprox. EUR 1 080 000 for 2016) is for support of minority co-productions.
• at least 10 % (EUR 675 000 for 2016) of the funding is for support Local theatrical distribution of Bulgarian movies (including supported minority co-productions);
• up to 5 % (EUR 337 500 for 2016) of the funding is for support of festivals, other cinema events and international promotion of Bulgarian films
• up to 5 % (EUR 337 500 for 2016) of the funding is for support of special film projects on subjects, proposed by Ministry of culture;

Only companies registered according the Bulgarian Trade Law and registered as producers, distributors or exhibitors at the Bulgarian National Film Center can apply for funding for co-productions. No less than 75 % of the earmarked funds under Film Industry Act shall be spent on the territory of Bulgaria.

According the Film Industry Act:

• State support of projects, for which funding is provided by a foreign co-producer from a country, which is a party under the European Convention for cinematographic co-production, or from a country, with which the Republic of Bulgaria has a concluded agreement in the film industry sector, shall be granted, whereas the Bulgarian producer shall apply before the Bulgarian National Film Center and the project shall be considered under the provisions and following the procedure laid down in FIA.
• Bulgarian producers may apply for the state support if the following terms and conditions are met:

1. the resources for financing of the project, provided by the foreign co-producer are from an international, national or regional fund or institution and/or a television operator with national coverage in the territory of the country of the foreign co-producer;
2. the share of the Bulgarian producer in the project budget is not less than 20 per cent for a co-production of two countries and not less than 10 per cent for a co-production between many countries.

• The project shall be considered following the competition procedure in sessions of the respective National Artistic Commission and of the Financial Commission within three months as from the day of its submission.

The state support is allocated to film projects, selected by a National Commission of experts on a competitive basis. Applications in the following categories are eligible:
- Future films projects incl. debuts;
- Documentary projects incl. debuts;
- Animation projects incl. debuts;

Every year the Bulgarian National Film Center has:

* two application deadlines per year for feature films, documentaries and animation;
* four deadlines per year for minority co-productions;
* one deadline per year for co-productions with TV broadcaster with national coverage.