While '96 was a step forward for French films in Quebec (and '97 looks largely disappointing), sodec president Pierre Lampron says the new French Film Festival in Quebec City clearly demonstrates that Unifrance understands its interests lie in investing and promoting French movies in the province.

Cinemaginaire president Denise Robert says the 20% coproduction minimum places Canada at a definite disadvantage, curtailing producers here from participating in more important European movies and projects.

And as national cinemas continue to be battered by u.s.-led global media conglomerates, Robert says government should deepen its support of national cinema.

Policy and policymakers aside, the producer says the key to expansion is the multiplication of business-to-business contacts between Canada and international partners and clients.

Based in London, Eng., producer Denis Heroux, one of the great pioneers in Canadian coproduction, says showcases such as the Montreal World Film Festival play an important role in that they help Canadian broadcasters get closer to quality foreign movies, movies he says they would otherwise "be afraid to show."

Heroux, a '96 wff jury member, says producers may discover new international directors, actors and writers at wff and use that experience to develop coproductions and to bring shoots to Quebec.

Heroux (A nos deux) worked on bringing the new $20 million Claude Lelouch movie Apres Tout to Montreal this fall.

"One of the things that we have discussed with government ­ and they were very positive ­ is that instead of an 80/20 [financing split] we would have a 90/10 split. It's obvious that if we keep the level at 20% we cannot bring in these kinds of movies because the budgets are too high when you compare it to a Quebec movie and too low when compared to an American movie.

"It's important because Spain is discussing such an agreement with France. We'll have to do films at the same kind of levels if we want to bring the French people [filmmakers] to shoot in Quebec and vice versa, because in the past we were too rigid," he says.

If there are no minority coproduction investments, Heroux says there will not be enough motivation "to go out and fight for the film" in the marketplace.

As an example, Heroux points to the u.k. where indigenous films are reappropriating a share of the domestic market from the majors.

"I'm living in London and I can tell you that there is a huge energy here. Each week in London there is one interesting British movie opening. That's a lot. It means you have 50 movies [a year] that are not American pictures. And there are also movies from New Zealand, from Australia."

Lower minimum required

On expanding coproduction, CFP Distribution executive vp Christian Larouche points to the threshold issue, saying the Canadian partner cannot invest in bigger budget movies when the minimum qualifying investment is 20%.