31-01-2011

Croatia Outlines Audiovisual Plans

By Goran Kovac

    Croatia's National Development Programme of the Audiovisual Industry was presented on 27 January 2011 in an official ceremony held in the teeming lecture hall of the Croatian Chamber of Economy. This strategic document defines the guidelines of audiovisual development in the period 2010-2014.

    The strategy was developed by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and approved by the Ministry of Culture.

    The hour-long programme presentation, with an address by Minister of Culture Jasen Mesić, stressed the importance of the proposal, pointing out that in terms of statistics, 2010 was among the worst for the audiovisual industry.

    Hrvoje Hribar, director of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, said the programme would guarantee continuity in audiovisual production, raise the rates and public visibility of Croatian film, launch the implementation of the Audiovisual Activities Act, separate the Croatian Cinematheque, initiate the export of film services, return international deals to domestic industry and ensure the status of national films in digital cinemas.

    The extensive list of presenters included Vera Robić-Škarica, Chair of the Croatian Audiovisual Committee, Ankica Jurić Tilić, Head of the Croatian Producers Association, Tatjana Aćimović, audiovisual service export incentive measure task force coordinator, Antonio Nuić, Head of the Croatian Film Directors Guild, Vinko Brešan, electronic media coordination, Nada Gaćešić-Livaković, Head of the Croatian Society of Film Workers, and actresses Marija Škaričić, Zrinka Cvitešić and Nina Violić.