Film and cinema
The National Council of Cinematography, created in 2007, has carried out a series of measures that are meant to promote the audiovisual and cinematographic development and the positioning of Ecuadorian cinema at the national and international level. Its goals include the promotion of national filmic production, the rescue and valorization of filmic patrimony, the formation of a cinema public, and reaching an audiovisual sovereignty.
The National Council of Cinematography has worked in a number of legislative, action-oriented, financial and participative measures that include:
- The promotion and support of community-oriented and independent audiovisual production.
- Review and update of national film laws and policies.
- Establishment of financial recognition of intellectual property rights to film makers through payments for film exhibitions.
- Programs for the education and access to the public.
- Creation and implementation of the Augusto San Miguel media library.
- Interinstitutional and international coordination and cooperation in the area of cinema and audiovisuals.
- The participation of Ecuadorian cinema in international film festivals like Cannes, Ventana Sur and Guadalajara.
- Creation and administration of specialized certificates for national production and for those that comply with national and international standards and norms.
- Participation in the ratification of the Cinema Law, which sets modern paremeters for the growing industry.
These actions have been carried out with a budget that is truly unprecedented for the film industry in Ecuador. The National Council of Cinematography has caught $6,168,913.97 (six million one hundred and sixty eight thousand, nine hundred and thirteen 97/100 American dollars) since 2007 from state allocation, cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, and International Cooperation. These funds have been used in public contests geared towards the promotion of cinema production, for the safeguard of film patrimony, and the other activities discussed above.
Challenges identified in the implementation of this measure:
Some of the most significative challenges include:
- Outdated film policies and practices.
- The lack of funding for a growing industry.
- Social norms that disregard intellectual property rights that lead to a piracy industry in the area of film.
- A successful film industry in Ecuador is unprecedented, which means that there is little experience in the production, edition, distribution and promotion of national audiovisual output.
US $6,168,913.97
The results show a clear increase in the production of national movies, and the exhibition of independent films in national commercial movie theatres, with about 663,505 viewers from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, some of these movies have participated in international film festivals, and most national films have been projected abroad in Cultural events.