Argentina’s New President Javier Milei Defunds Film-TV Agency INCAA, Ventana Sur

variety.com:

Anna Marie de la Fuente Argentina’s right-wing populist president Javier Milei is forging ahead with his administration’s plans to defund the country’s film-TV institute INCAA, which will adversely impact national film festivals such as the Mar del Plata and federal aid for national film releases, state-run cinemas and film schools, among others.

It also jeopardizes the prominent Buenos Aires-based film and TV market, Ventana Sur, which is jointly organized by INCAA and Cannes’ Marché du Film.

A March 11 communiqué from Argentina’s Orwellian-sounding Ministry of Human Capital stated that the Culture Ministry had discovered a deficit of $4 million dollars at INCAA and therefore has resolved to dramatically cut the institute’s expenses, “suspending transfers to the provinces, international travel, funding for festivals, payment of overtime, hiring of mobile telephony, per diems, and other expenses.” “Furthermore, with the aim of reducing the $8 million allocated to staff salaries, no contract for work leases expiring on March 31 of the current year will be renewed,” it continued.

The move comes after Milei’s omnibus bill proposed in January, which would have scrapped INCAA, failed to pass, after massive protests and a petition signed by the world’s most celebrated filmmakers made an impact.