Artistic independence: The central role of directors/producers in Belgian cinema

To ensure the influence of Belgian cinema and the creation of diversified, sustainable and viable film productions by our creators, we defend the status of independent director-producer. This status is essential to guarantee freedom, artistic independence and greater horizontality in practices, through control of financial imperatives and economic means of production.

Artistic freedom and independent production  

Market dynamics and the complex sub-national architecture of Belgium's film industry have led to sectoral inequalities and even job insecurity. In the face of a competitive economic dynamic that concentrates resources, encouraging conformism and uniformity in audiovisual production, we advocate independent cinema. The latter enables us to free ourselves from mercantile or political commissioning systems, by offering original, high-quality artistic production for the emergence of alternative narratives capable of appealing to a variety of audiences.

For a pluralist and singular cinema: Fighting against the standardization of productions

We defend creative freedom in the face of rigid categorization and the imposition of normative criteria that alienate film productions. These practices contribute to the compartmentalization of narratives and artistic de-singularization, resulting in a loss of diversity. Yet the inclusiveness of representations and the singularity of narratives are essential to the eclecticism of national cinema, reflecting Belgian pluralism.

Cinema: A medium for democracy

We believe in culture as the foundation of our democracies, and regard art as an eminently collective activity. In this sense, cinema enriches democratic debate and has a real transformative power on ways of thinking and social environments. We support cinema as a medium for transmitting stories and as a place where people can meet, live and forge social links. Cinema must therefore also serve as a platform for a plurality of voices and perspectives.

Building bridges for a more visible and diversified Belgian cinema

We participate in the development of links between Belgian film professionals, in order to combine synergies to promote the quality of audiovisual productions. This solidarity, both productive and life-saving, needs to be reinforced by building bridges with international players. This is essential to guarantee the visibility of Belgian film productions. ARPi is therefore committed to forging ties of solidarity with other sister organizations, fostering mutual enrichment and the common defense of the interests of our creators.

Human-scale cinema: Reconciling culture and economics 

Human-scale cinema can play a crucial role in reconciling culture and the real economy, while integrating today's issues for a sustainable social impact, thus meeting the cross-cutting needs of culture, the environment and society. In favor of creating opportunities and cultural openness, ARPi supports a diversified and viable film industry for Belgian professionals in the sector.

We want :

• The opening of a third counter in Belgium and the setting up of a random project selection committee.

• Equitable distribution of subsidies between production companies, with an annual ceiling per company to ensure a fair distribution of resources.

• Anonymization of applications for financial support to ensure fairness in the allocation of grants.

• Ensure the creation of value and wealth through cinema in Belgium, while strengthening its influence in Europe and internationally.

• To be a structure of opportunities for the creation of synergies between creators, thus fostering a diversified and sustainable Belgian cinema.

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