With just a week to go to Panama’s International Film Festival (IFF) the National Assembly on Thursday, April 19, approved a bill creating a film and audiovisual industry in Panama. 

Members unanimously approved on third reading, Bill No  432, which was submitted to the National Assembly  in February by Minister of Trade and Industry, Ricardo Quijano. 

One of the provisions of the law is the creation of the National Register of Cinema and Audiovisual Productions, which will be the responsibility of the Directorate General of the Audiovisual Film Industry and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Additionally  23 provides for the creation of a screen quota for promoting Latin American and national films and audiovisual works which must be met by movie exhibitors and television operators.

Henk Van Der Kolk, co- director of  IFF  welcomed the news which fits in with the stated aims of the festival to help build a viable film industry in Panama. “If the new law helps reduce the huge percentage of US blockbusters in Panama’s movie houses, and forces the distributor to showcase worthwhile local and Latin American films, the country will have taken a big step forward.”

The festival will run from Thursday April 26, through Wednesday May 2, and will be attended by actors, directors and producers of many of the 50 films.

The latest rumor to hit town is that actor Robert DeNiro, who stars in the classic Raging Bull, which is getting a special nostalgic airing.