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Nation's movie industry shows encouraging signs

The country's film industry has emerged from the doldrums of the past three years, with as many as 35 movies being shot here last year and screened in theaters this year, government officials said yesterday.

"The nation's film industry has grown over the past three years, a fact that figures make quite clear. It has come back to life and continues to grow," Government Information Office (GIO) Deputy Minister William Yih (易榮宗) said.

"So far this year, six movies made by local filmmakers have shown in theaters, with four more to come," he said. "It is our hope that we can do something to help local filmmakers."

Yih said that only 13 movies were made by local filmmakers in 2003, compared to 35 last year.

Box office income for locally made movies was NT$11.93 million (US$361,500) in 2003 and NT$86.78 million last year.

"The figures tell us we are responsible for helping the local film industry grow," Yih said when fielding questions from lawmakers at the legislature's Education and Culture Committee yesterday morning. The committee was reviewing an amendment to the Motion Picture Act (電影法).

To encourage and help more local filmmakers, the GIO has proposed an amendment to make it easier for filmmakers to apply for movie-related licenses.

The amendment also says that private film-related associations or organizations should be able to apply on behalf of film crews.
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