The Finnish government’s decision to reduce by half the compensation for private copying, which is essential for AVEK’s funding, is raising concerns among European film industry operators. Each year, AVEK distributes EUR 2.5 million in financial support for documentaries, short films and works of media art as well as their internationalisation and the training of creators in the audiovisual industry. The implementation of the cutbacks would jeopardise all operations of AVEK.
European film industry organisations have shown their support for AVEK in the form of open letters.
““The independent Finnish film industry plays a crucial role in preserving Finnish culture and identity. AVEK is instrumental in this process, providing essential support and resources while also enhancing the visibility of Finnish films on the global market,” says Managing Director of Nordisk Panorama Film Festival Heidi Elise Christensen.
According to CEO of European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs Kristina Trapp, AVEK’s support has facilitated Finnish filmmakers’ participation in international joint productions and contributed to the international distribution of Finnish films.
“Compared to the savings made by cutting such a comparatively small fund such as AVEK, the consequences for the Finnish film industry and its professionals on the long term would be disastrous,” Trapp warns.
A steady support system is considered to be clearly linked to the success of Finnish short films and documentaries abroad.
”A 50% cut to AVEK’s funding from the State Budget can only damage the capacity of Finnish filmmakers to benefit from these networks and relationships, leading to a fall in international influence and connectivity,” states Sandra Whipham, one of the five directors of the British Doc Society.
“We can only imagine the damage such a large cut to AVEK’s budget will bring and the impact it will also have on the country’s ability to remain a key co-producing country in Europe an internationally,” says Director of the Scottish Documentary Institute Flore Cosquer.
The compensation compensates authors for the private use of their works
The compensation for private copying is based on an EU directive and the relevant legislation and is provided to the creative industries so that every citizen can copy and store works for private use. For years, the amount of compensation has been established at EUR 11 million in the state budget. Of this total amount, approximately EUR 5.5 million has been distributed to the creative industry through Kopiosto and AVEK, which is part of Kopiosto.
AVEK supports documentaries, short films and media art by distributing approximately EUR 2.5 million in compensation funds each year. In 2023, AVEK supported the making of 135 works. Kopiosto also distributed a total of EUR 2.8 million in direct copyright remunerations to approximately 8,000 professionals in the audiovisual industry. These remunerations are part of their income.
The studies commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture indicate that the amount of copying has mostly remained the same since 2017. According to the analysis conducted by Taloustutkimus in 2017, the detriment caused by private copying to the creative industry amounted to EUR 32–44 million.
Last week, international copyright organisations also called on the Finnish government to cancel the devastating cutback to the compensation for private copying. The cutback to compensation that is based on an EU directive and legislation has raised great concerns abroad due to the fact that it contradicts EU law and has dramatic consequences.
Parts of this article were translated using DeepL, an AI-based translation service.
