The French film sector saw investment and activity return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, while cinematic contributions increased, according to the annual production report of the National Film Center of France.
In total, there was an investment of $1.28 billion (€1.18 billion) in feature film production in 2022, compared to €1.44 billion (€1.33 billion) in 2021 and $1.21 billion (€1.11 billion) in 2019.
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The number of films also remained stable at 287, down from the 2021 peak of 340 but in line with the ten-year average of 288.
The annual study, released Wednesday, is based on budget information submitted for feature film productions that CNC has approved as eligible for various grant programs, and is seen as giving an accurate reflection of what’s happening in the industry. from year to year. .
After 2021, which saw a record number of approved films due to the strong catch-up effect of 2020, as production was affected by the crisis, 2022 has returned to the level of production in line with what it was before. The health crisis. Crunch,” CNC said.
Breaking down the numbers, the data presented a more complex picture of French Initiative Films (FIF) as well as of national investments.
There were 208 FIF films (out of 287 films), divided between 159 fiction films, 43 documentaries, and six animations. This represents a decrease of 10.7% compared to the average for the 2017-2019 period.
A total of 64 were first-time directors, 39 were second-timers, and 105 were third-timers or more.
French investment of $1.07 billion (€898.5 million) is 6.2% lower than the average for the 2017-2019 period, but 4.5% higher than in 2019.
The total investment figure of $1.28 billion remained stable thanks to international partners playing a larger role in the sector than in previous years.
At some level, 144 of the 287 films approved were co-productions, the highest in a decade, and up from 116 in 2019.
“For the first time since 2003, half of the approved films (50.2%) are co-productions,” the report said.
The center said that the expansion of the partner regions contracted to 33 regions in 2022 from 45 in 2021, at a rate of 39 countries over a period of 10 years.
Investments from outside the country amounted to $308.5 million (283.7 million euros) compared to $278.8 million (256.6 million euros) in 2019. The center indicated that the figure of 2022 represented an increase of 22.3% in the average amount for the period from 2017 to 2019. ..
FIF Productions raised $993.9 billion (€914.6 million) out of a total investment of $1.28 billion.
Across all FIF productions, the film’s budget averaged $4.78 million (€4.4 million), higher than in recent years but below the 2016 peak of $5.9 million (€5.5 million).
There have been four films with budgets over $21 million (€20 million): Jeremy Zag Ladybug and kitty woke upDanny Boone Life is realMayween Jane du Barry and Luke Besson Dogman.
The commission said the main sources of investment in films from public funds and broadcasters remained relatively stable.
Public funds accounted for 7.9% of the funding, compared to 8.8% for the 2017-2019 period, while broadcasting and new platforms accounted for 29.7% of the investment.
There is a slight increase in the funds provided by the latter group, to $295 million (271.5 million euros) compared to $283 million (263.3 million euros).
This explains the increase in investments through broadcast platforms, after the introduction of new regulations requiring them to invest part of their French sales in local productions.
CNC said the operators have invested $22m (€21m) in the 17 FIF-certified films, plus contributions from online advertisers.
Giving details of three of the top streamers, CNC said Disney+ has invested in four FIF films, with an average investment of $532,000 (€490,000); Netflix backed eight FIFAT films averaging $2.41m (€2.2m) each, and Prime Video invested in five films averaging $293,000 (€270,000)
Pay-TV giant Canal+ retained its title as the leading financier of French cinema, investing $127m (€117.3m) in 104 FIF films, 43.2% of the total investment in the broadcast and platform.
In other data, the report also looked at gender distribution by certified manager. For FIF films, 69 films, or 30.8% of the 208 approved films, were directed by women.
This is a slight increase in 2021 when the share of films directed by women was 29.8% and also indicates a steady increase over the past 20 years, with women directing just 16.7% in 2003.
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