A new amendment to the Law on Cinematography has been proposed in Azerbaijan, which aims to introduce the formal definition of a "foreign film" into the national legal framework. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the matter was deliberated during a meeting of the Culture Committee of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) held today.
Under the proposed changes, a "foreign film" will be defined as any motion picture produced entirely by a foreign producer or group of producers. Furthermore, films co-produced by local and foreign entities that do not meet the specific criteria for "national film" status will be classified as joint productions. However, films co-produced with foreign cinematography organizations may still be granted national status if they comply with the terms of international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party.
According to current legislation in Azerbaijan, a film is considered a "national film" if the producer is a citizen of Azerbaijan or a legal entity registered in the country. Additional requirements include: the share of foreign nationals in the film crew must not exceed 30 percent, the film must be produced in the Azerbaijani language, at least 50 percent of the production and distribution processes must be carried out by cinematography enterprises operating in Azerbaijan, and foreign investment must not exceed 30 percent of the film's total estimated cost. If these conditions are met, joint productions between local and foreign producers can officially receive national film status.
This legislative update is part of Azerbaijan's broader efforts to modernize its cultural sector and provide clearer regulatory guidelines for the film industry. By establishing distinct legal categories for domestic, foreign, and joint productions, the government aims to streamline the licensing process, encourage international collaboration, and protect the interests of local filmmakers while fostering a more competitive environment for the development of Azerbaijani cinema.
