760,000 people saw Israeli movies in 2003, following a steep rise in the past three years, according to figures provided by the Israel Film Fund management.
According to the figures reported, the number of those viewing Israeli films has been rising since the Law for Encouragement of Israeli Film was passed three years ago. The number of those seeing Israeli films in movie theaters grew from only 140,000 in 2000 to 350,000 in 2002 and 600,000 in 2003, while 160,000 people saw Israeli films in other locations, such as Israel Defense Forces camps, El Al flights, etc.
Revenues are also up. Total revenue generated by Israeli films rose from NIS 4 million to NIS 11.5 million in 2001. The state has collected NIS 7.8 million in VAT on Israeli films in the past three years, since, in contrast to theater tickets, move tickets are subject to VAT. Revenue from overseas marketing, distribution, and sales of Israeli films amounted to NIS 10.5 million.
The 43 movies in which the Israel Film Fund invested over the three years since the Film Law was enacted have contributed 200,000 work days to the economy. Personnel employed on these films included 43 directors; 60 producers; 80 script writers; 400 editors and musicians; 700 production personnel; 1,200 photographers, lighting staff, sound personnel, designers, costume dressers, make-up artists; and 2,000 actors and extras. The leading box office films in the past three years were “Nina’s Tragedies”, “Broken Wings”, and “Late Marriage”.
Of the $35.2 million invested in Israel movies over the past three years, the Israel Film fund invested $16.4 million. Television franchise holders invested $5.9 million, private Israeli investors $3.6 million, artists $3.7 million, and international investments (co-productions) $5.6 million.
When the Film Law took effect in 2001, the budget was NIS 73 million, but it has since been reduced, and stands at NIS 46 million for 2004. Israel Film Fund director Katriel Schory said that the box office figures proved that Israelis are returning to the Israeli cinema, but the 40% budget cut was a hard blow. “We’ll make every effort to make sure that the growth of Israeli cinema won’t stop,” he said.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on April 19, 2004