Tunisia : Parliament Creates an Investment Fund for Cinema and Audiovisual Media

The Assembly of the Representatives of the People adopted, during a plenary session held on Saturday, 29 November 2025, the creation of an Investment Promotion Fund for the Cinema and Audiovisual Sector, in accordance with the amended Article 61. The measure was approved with 74 votes in favour, 9 abstentions, and 40 votes against.

The article establishes a special fund under the authority of the National Centre for Cinema and Image (CNCI), dedicated to supporting investment in the cinema and audiovisual sectors. The fund’s resources will be directed toward financing programmes aimed at developing cinema infrastructure and screening venues, encouraging regions across the country to open new movie theatres and renovate existing ones.

The fund also seeks to create modern film studios and digital laboratories specialising in sound and image processing, to develop technical industries linked to cinema, to attract foreign productions wishing to shoot films and series in Tunisia, and to modernise filming permit systems while facilitating procedures for both national and international companies.

Additionally, the fund will support Tunisian film production, strengthen artistic cooperation, help train talent—such as screenwriters, directors, and technicians—and contribute to the development of national and international film festivals. It will also help preserve the country’s cinematographic heritage by supporting Tunisia’s film and audiovisual archives.

The fund will be financed through 1.75% of the turnover of internet service distributors and companies subject to telecommunications levies, as well as a 1% tax on the import of various digital equipment. It will also receive revenue from audiovisual advertising, cinema ticket sales, donations, and any other resources permitted by existing legislation.

Management of the fund will be entrusted to the National Centre for Cinema and Image, under an agreement concluded with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with the requirement that 50% of its resources be allocated to guaranteeing loans for companies operating within the cinema and audiovisual sectors.