Havana, June 27 (RHC)-- The Official Gazette of the Cuban Republic has published a decree-law and a Council of Minister’s accord to introduce changes on the island’s audiovisual and film creation policy.

The recognition and legalization of independent audiovisual and film artists and of the creation of collective teams; a Film Development Fund; the establishment of a Film Commission to facilitate national and foreign production, and three new self-employment jobs are among the changes introduced by the new policy to boost national audiovisual and film creation. The change is contained in Decree-Law 373 and the Council of Ministers’ accord 8613.  

At a news conference Wednesday, Cuban Film Institute ICAlC President, Ramón Samada, said that the decree recognizes, in the first place, the existence of independent audiovisual and film creators and a registry, allowing them to hire or be hired by Cuban and foreign staff to carry out their activities. At the same time, they can open bank accounts to develop their work and are legally represented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, he added. Related to this recognition is the establishment of the Independent Audiovisual and Film Creators’ Registry.

ICAIC-which rules the country’s film and audiovisual policy, is responsible for administering the Registry. Samada pointed out, however, that though it will be a unique registry, ICAIC is set to register people related to film, while the Cuban TV and Radio Institute –ICRT- will register those who do TV.The new policy authorizes the establishment of audiovisual and film creation teams or collective groups, considered a step toward the creation of independent production houses.

‘In order to work, filmmakers need to work together with others. Audiovisual is part of an industry in which many people work,’ he said. ‘The teams will participate in all stages of audiovisual and film production, raise funds, participate in the preparation, shooting, postproduction and sale of their work, mainly for the development of Cuban film.‘

Three new self-employment jobs are created by the new policy, including operator and hirer of artistic production equipment consisting of filming, lighting, sound equipment, cranes, drones and others.