SBC boss calls for more spending on films

Armin Walpen called for unity among Swiss filmmakers. Keystone / Edi Engeler

The director-general of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), Armin Walpen, has criticised both the government and film-makers for the state of the Swiss film industry.

In a speech at the Locarno film festival, Walpen called on parliament and the government to increase spending credits on films.

He said SBC had sharply increased its outlay on films in the past year, spending SFr16.5 million compared to SFr9.3 million a year ago.

He urged the federal government to match SBC to ensure that – as the main contributors to the film industry – they were both contributing similar amounts.

Walpen also criticised film-makers for their “miserable lobbying”. He said it was not sufficient to leave lobbying to the interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss – whose portfolio includes culture – and the culture ministry.

He said the film producers were too concerned with themselves and in-fighting. Walpen called for increased cooperation so that people involved in the film industry became a “feared pressure group”.

swissinfo with agencies