Speech by G. Paschalidis on the Law Bill of the Ministry of Culture “Creative Greece”

THE Member of Parliament P.E. Kavalas and Thassos Yiannis Paschalidis, during his speech in the Plenary Session of the Parliament, on the bill of the Ministry of Culture “Creative Greece: strengthening the cinematographic, audio-visual and creative sector, establishment of a body for the book and other provisions for modern culture”, stated that the international audio-visual and cinema market is a huge development opportunity for Greece. To achieve the goal, it is necessary to create a modern and contemporary governance model in order to effectively serve the cultural and artistic body.

Analyzing the individual provisions, the Member of Parliament referred to the new, unified organization with the name “Hellenic Center for Cinema, Audiovisual Media and Creation – E.K.K.O.ME.D.” S.A. – Creative Greece”, in which the two existing N.P.I.D.s, the “National Center for Audiovisual Media and Communication AE” and the “Hellenic Film Center” are merged.

Also, the Member of Parliament underlined the importance of the new Support Program called Cash Rebate Greece-CRGR, which includes three distinct aid regimes for audiovisual works, with the aim of streamlining rules and procedures through sound financial management rules.

Special reference was made by the Member of Parliament to the establishment and operation of the National Digital Repository of Audio Works, to the reorganization and modernization of the operation of the Hellenic Cultural Foundation, as well as to the establishment of the new N.P.I.D. under the name “Athens Epidaurus Festival”.

Concluding his speech, the Member of Parliament emphasized that with today’s draft law, a new, modern administrative framework is established, through which the cultural, creative and audio-visual sector of the country is practically supported. Greece has all the foundations to be the center of cultural developments in terms of the international audio-visual and cinema market and at the same time has a Government that both wants and can adapt to modern conditions.