174 film-makers, including Justine Triet, Jacques Audiard and the Dardenne brothers, have warned of possible cuts to French film production. In an open letter in Le Monde They are criticising the draft budget for 2027, which, amongst other things, provides for a cut of 47 million euros in funding for France Télévisions and a doubling of VAT on Canal+’s pay-TV services from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.

According to the signatories’ calculations, the planned tax increase could jeopardise the industry agreement with Canal+, which provides for investment of at least 980 million euros in French and European cinema productions between 2028 and 2032. For the same period, they forecast a reduction in funding for film production of 750 million euros. They estimate that, as a result, around 400 films would not be able to go ahead.

Filmmakers also highlight the economic importance of the sector, which supports around 260,000 direct and indirect jobs in France. They are calling for the funding of the Centre national du cinéma (CNC) and public service broadcasting to be safeguarded, and for the framework conditions for the film industry to be secured in the long term.

The draft budget is still going through the parliamentary process. It therefore remains to be seen whether the planned measures will actually be implemented.