Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (1936)

30 COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 5 May, 1936.] I on t; i, in d. (d) /}/■/'/ ;.s/i West Indies.— At the British Wesl Indies Conference in 1929 the question of the exhibition of British films in the British West Indies was discussed and a resolution was passed recommending the Governments of the Conference Colonies to pa legislation, if and when practicable. to provide for the exhibition of a proportion of British films. It was further agreed that Trinidad should undertake the drafting of a measure to establish a quota system. (i) Trinidad. — As a result, the Trinidad Cinematograph (British Films) Ordinance, 1932, was passed. The Ordinance applies to all films except commercial advertising films, educational films, films consisting only of announcements, etc., not accompanied by pictorial illustrations, and films exhibited at performances where the total length of film does not exceed 2,000 feet. Quotas are imposed upon exhibitors only and must be satisfied as respects long films and all films and also as respects news films. Long films are films of 5,000 feet and upwards (as compared with 3,000 feet and upwards in Great Britain) and news films are films depicting wholly or mainly news and current events. Quotas are calculated upon the total number of feet of the films exhibited but no film is counted more than once, i.e., upon the footage of films booked without regard to the number of exhibitions after the first that may be given. Quotas w7ere fixed at 20 per cent, for long and all films in 1933 and 23 per cent, in each succeeding year, and at 50 per cent, for news films from 1933 onwards. The Governor may also prescribe that not exceeding one-fifth of the percentage of British news films shall be British West Indian films and may regulate the price to be charged for such films. Exhibitors are required to keep records and to make returns and provision is made for penalties for contravention of the Ordinance. In 1935 an amending Ordinance gave the Governor power by proclamation to apply the principal Ordinance only to such towns or other areas as might be specified in the proclamation. It also provided that the proportion of British films should be ascertained in such manner as might be prescribed. In consequence of representations by the film interests concerned that the quotas were excessive the Ordinance is not being enforced pending consideration of this question. (ii) Bahamas. — In 1933 the Bahamas House of Assembly rejected a Bill which was similar to the Trinidad Ordinance of 1932. (iii) British Ghiiana. - Barbados. — Legislation similar to the Trinidad Ordinance of 1932 was passed in British Guiana in 1933 and in Barbados in 1935. As in Trinidad, these are not being enforced pending reconsideration of the prescribed quota percentages. (iv) Jamaica. — The question of quota legislation was considered in Jamaica in 1933, but no action was taken as voluntary arrangements which had been made for the exhibition of British films were regarded as satisfactory. Foreign Countries. (a) Austria. — Regulations in connection with two Austrian laws. Nos. 2114 and 206 of the 9th and 28th March. 1931. respectively, were issued to the trade by the Ministry lor Commerce and Traffic in December, 1935. According to these regulations. Austrian makers of sound films receive as premium for each film produced, vouchers entitling them to a number of permits lor showing sound films. These vouchers are handed by tile producers to the " Film Bureau " of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, where they are sold lor t lie account of the producing firm to the film dealers at 500 to 1,000 Schillinge each. Xo permits for exhibiting sound films are given, unless such vouchers are produced, [n certain eases no permits are required, e.g., lor cultural films, and Austrian weekly reports, which must be shown in any event. Xo vouchers are required when applying for permits to exhibit Austrian films, or foreign " Actualities." For foreign advertising films, propaganda films, etc., vouchers are required. One voucher gives a right to ten permits to exhibit a foreign short film, not exceeding 350 metres, or five permits for foreign films from 350 to 700 metres. In the case of foreign films above 1,500 metres, three vouchers must be produced; for each film of from 1,000 to 1,500 metres, two vouchers, and for films from 700 to 1,000 metres, one voucher. A reduction in the number of vouchers required can be granted when it has been necessary to make a (o rman rendering of a foreign language. For every normal film produced in the country, vouchers up to a maximum of twenty-five can be iss 1. and for short films or for films for obligatory exhibition, up to three vouchers. If normal films are produced on apparatus of Austrian make, four more vouchers may be granted. The maker of a version in a foreign language of a film originally made in Austria, is entitled to the free exhibition in Austria of one film made in the country to which the film in a foreign language is first sold. If such Austrian films with tourist foreign text serve as tourist propaganda for Austria, this benefit is increased. Renting establishments who can prove expenditure in Austria for subsequent synchronisation of a film, may be granted up to two vouchers. Moreover, such films can be freely exhibited in Austria. If the maker of an Austrian film sells that film to foreign countries at an adequate price, or otherwise disposes of the film in a foreign country, the " Film Bureau " is authorised to issue a number of special export premium vouchers to be fixed by the Ministry of Commerce and Traffic. These vouchers remain with the " Film Bureau " and can only be used for exhibiting films which come from the same foreign countries. This applies only one for every original film. The Austrian film industry is not assisted in any other way by the Government, and no bounties on production are paid by the Government direct. (b) Czechoslovakia. — The Chechoslovakian film industry is assisted by subsidies from a fund obtained from registration fees on imported full length feature films. The Czechoslovak Association of Film Industry and Trade is required to keep three registers (A. B and C). in which are entered particulars of all films imported or produced in Czechoslovakia. In these registers are entered respectively particulars of (A) all films produced in Czechoslovakia whose makers apply for a subsidy, (B) all imported full length feature films, (C) all other imported films (short films, etc., not exceeding 700 metres in length). To cover the expenses of registration the following "manipulation fees" are charged: — For each entry in Registers A and B, Kc. 200. For each entry in Register C, Kc. 20. In addition, for each entry in Register B, a registration fee of Kc. 20,000 is payable. Import licences are issued only on production of proof that the films concerned have been registered and the appropriate fees paid. The registration fees on " B " films provide a fund for the purpose of subsidizing the national production of feature films, and educational and propaganda films, and generally of promoting the national film industry. A Czechoslovak film must be in the Czechoslovak language and have been made in studios and laboratories within the country. Before production is commenced the scenario of the film must have been submitted to and approved by the Film Advisorj Board. The importation of seven films entitles the importer to a subsidj of Kc.l lO.(HK) for the purpose of producing, or purchasing, at his option, a Czechoslovak film. The subsidj is increased by a Further Kc. 10.0(H) il the native film acquired is made also in