Several members of Congress in Costa Rica presented officially the “Ley de Cinematografia y Audiovisual” or Law of Cinematography and Audiovisual” a project that seeks to promote these activities in a systemic way through all its production and creative cycle.

Some of the proposals included in the Law include changing the name of the Costa Rican Cinematography Production Center to Costa Rican Center of Films and Audiovisual (CRCA) to make it more comprehensive and inclusive of new formats. This entity will continue to run under the administration of a National Council that brings together sectors of production and audiovisual animation, producers of documentaries, fiction or television series, as well as distributors of these materials.

“This is a first step to offer support and integration to the audiovisual sector in the country; a sector that needs to have the necessary legal tools and budget to continue to develop as an industry and generating jobs”, stated Congresswoman Marcela Guerrero.

The project also proposes a change to the Public Shows Tax to extend the current payment of 6% of the value of the ticket to all movie theaters in the country; currently this tax is only paid by movie theaters located in the main county of each province. It includes the creation of a specific tax over the cost of renting audiovisual material.

The Legislative Assembly will have to study the Law, discuss it and decide to approve it or make necessary changes.