Unleashing Moroccan Cinema's Potential: A Transformative Blueprint

Thursday 13 June 2024 - 08:39

Recognizing the profound impact of cinema on societal evolution, Morocco is intensifying its efforts to expand this innovative sector. A proposed law aimed at regulating the film industry in Morocco mandates that audiovisual production companies employ Moroccan technicians holding professional identity cards, with the number determined by regulatory means.

Moreover, it compels these companies to enter into written contracts with each technician, with the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM) providing a model specifying the mutual commitments and conditions governing the relationship between the producer and the technician.

The draft law also proposes a mechanism for distributing films across various media platforms after their theatrical release, aiming to safeguard the financial rights of producers. Consequently, a film can be distributed through physical video sales or rentals or be included in a program guide offered by a video-on-demand service six months after its initial theatrical screening.

According to the same source, a film cannot be broadcast on television or exploited by a video-on-demand service provider until twelve months after its first theatrical screening or three months after its definitive withdrawal from theaters. However, this period may be reduced under certain conditions specified by regulatory means.

In a bid to promote domestic production, the draft law introduces new obligations concerning the programming of Moroccan films in movie theaters based on the number of available screens. Every theater, regardless of whether it receives public support, must schedule Moroccan films.

Furthermore, it requires all movie theaters to pay exploitation rights for Moroccan films according to conditions defined by regulatory means. Additionally, it mandates each commercial movie theater to implement a computerized ticket sales system to facilitate public access.

Article 15 stipulates that theaters with a single screen must program at least three Moroccan films per year, with a screening duration of at least one week for each film. Movie theaters with two screens must program at least four Moroccan films per year, with a screening duration of at least one week for each film. Moreover, movie theaters with three to five screens must program at least five Moroccan films per year, with a screening duration of at least two weeks for each film. Movie theaters with more than five screens must program at least five Moroccan films per year, providing a permanent screen exclusively dedicated to Moroccan films.

Article 12 classifies commercial movie theaters into categories "A," "B," and "C" according to a register established and determined by the CCM. This cinematographic institution may temporarily close category "C" movie theaters that have lost the required criteria for their classification for a maximum period of one year. Article 13 adds that if this period expires and the concerned movie theater has not undertaken the necessary reforms to be downgraded to at least category "C," then the CCM will issue a decision for permanent closure. However, it may decide to reopen any permanently closed commercial movie theater if it undergoes rehabilitation allowing it to be classified into one of the three categories.

To facilitate the relationship between producers, the CCM, and local authorities, the draft law provides for the creation of regional film committees to promote the local industry.

The overarching objective of this draft law is to establish a genuine film industry that meets the aspirations of the Kingdom by conferring new competencies upon the CCM to promote the film industry, develop domestic production, and organize, rationalize, and professionalize its management to keep pace with international developments.