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Spain

Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Spain Concerning Cinematographic Relations

Key points

MEDIA
Audiovisual creations of any length and in any medium, including feature, animation and documentary films, in accordance with the existing provisions in either country, intended for commercial release through theatres, television, videocassette, videodisc or by any other new forms of audio-visual production and distribution.

MINIMUM PARTICIPATION
Bipartite:  20%
Multipartite:  20%

While the minimum financial contribution for a Canadian producer cannot be less than 20%, a 10% minimum financial contribution by EU members can be made only in the case of a multipartite co-production.

SHOOTING AND PERFORMERS – LAB WORK – VERSIONING/DUBBING

Studio shooting must be carried out in one or other of the countries participating in the co-production. If the script or action of the films so requires and if technicians from the two co-producing countries take part in the shooting, location shooting, exterior or interior, in a country not participating in the co- production, may be authorized.

The minority co-producer shall be required to make an effective technical and creative contribution. In principle, the contribution of the minority co-producer in creative staff, technicians and actors shall be in proportion to his investment. Creative staff includes the author of the story and the scriptwriter, the director, the music composer, the editor, the director of photography and the art director. In all cases, the participation of each of these creative elements will be allocated to the country that contributes it. In principle, each country’s contribution will include, as a minimum, one element defined as creative, one actor in a leading role, one actor in a secondary role and a qualified technician. For these purposes, two qualified technicians may be substituted for the actor in the leading role.

In exceptional cases, modifications to this rule may be admitted jointly by the competent authorities of the two countries.

The co-productions must be made by Canadian or Spanish directors or directors who are permanent residents of Canada or residents in Spain or a national of a member state of the European Union, with the participation of technicians and performers of Canadian or Spanish nationality, or permanent residents of Canada or residents in Spain or a national of a member state of the European Union.

If the co-production so requires, the participation of performers of recognized international stature who are not citizens of one of the co-producing countries may be permitted for the leading role, subject to agreement between the competent authorities of both countries. Foreign performers who are normally resident and employed in Canada or Spain may take part in co-production as residents of one or the other of the said countries.

When an individual is a national of both Canada and Spain, the nationality corresponding to his habitual residence shall prevail or, failing that, the last nationality acquired.

Versioning – No specific requirement.

Two versions must be made of each film, one in Spanish and one in English or French. These versions may include dialogue in other languages as the script may require. The English or French version shall be made in Canada and the Spanish version in Spain.

Resources

Important

Please take note that this summary is simply a reference tool and that you must comply with the complete terms of the applicable treaty(ies) (see documents below) and with Telefilm Canada’s Audiovisual Coproduction guidelines.

Treaty

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