On April 22, the president of the CNC sent a letter to commission members to shed light on the decision to suspend the aid fund for creation on social platforms. Gaëtan Bruel stressed the need for support from all professionals in the supported sectors. In response, six professional organizations express their full support for the CNC, its staff, and commission members. They denounce the spread of falsehoods on social media about CNC funding and alleged ideological bias, including threats to staff.
Bruel resolved to temporarily suspend the commission’s work, stating that out of 740 projects funded in 8 years, only 30 were problematic. Filmmakers from various organizations deplore the lack of political support and call for the reopening of the fund or its equivalent.
They emphasize that CNC commissions consist of professionals from different backgrounds, providing expertise based on formal inventiveness and artistic relevance rather than personal opinions. They highlight the low level of public funding for French films compared to European ones and the high market share of national films.
The signatories remind that the CNC was created in 1946 with broad political consensus for cultural sovereignty and access to culture for all. They urge political leaders and supporters of French cinema to denounce attacks against the CNC and defend the cultural sovereignty of the country.
