The tradition of cinema on the Côte d’Azur needs no further introduction, if only for the global renown of the Cannes Film Festival and the historical presence of the Studio de la Victorine in Nice – which is set to be renovated – that was the site of many film shoots during its golden years.
However, cinema, or rather the film industry, also holds economic significance because the department has become a prime destination for filmmakers, with between 1,300 and 1,600 shooting days a year, according to the Commission du Film Alpes-Maritimes Côte d’Azur, chaired by David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes. In 2016, this represented 60 million euros in direct economic impacts for the 06 (Alpes-Maritimes department) and 128 million euros in indirect impacts.
Mindful of this aspect, the departmental council established years ago a fund to aid cinematic creation and production, endowed this year with an envelope of 300,000 euros.
A reading committee composed of 9 personalities from the sector, in various capacities, is responsible for selecting film projects (feature films, series, and television dramas) that highlight the cultural and natural heritage of the area and rating them for the allocation of financial production assistance.
This year, actress and producer Corinne Touzet is the president, succeeding Michèle Laroque.
The reading committee meets once a year to give an advisory opinion on the projects presented. This year, 8 projects are involved: “Café Noir,” “Lionel,” “Terminal Sud,” “Just a Gigolo,” “Le coup du chapeau,” “The Empire of Fire Ants,” “Tarquinia,” and “You’re Going to Love My Wife.”
Yesterday morning, in the setting of the Palais des rois Sardes, the verdict was announced. “President” Corinne Touzet stated that the committee unanimously selected “Terminal Sud,” directed by Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche. The second selected project is “Le coup de chapeau,” directed by Fabien Onteniente, a film that pays tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo.
