Operational support

Art et Essai classification

The DRAC Pays de la Loire participates in the Commission du Cinéma Art et Essaicoordinated by the CNC. The art and essay classification The aim is to support cinemas which exhibit a substantial proportion of films recommended for art and essay and which support these often difficult films with an adapted animation policy. The 2017 art and essay classification is available for download.

What is a recommended work of art and essay? (defined by the Order of 22 April 2002)

• work with undeniable qualities but without the audience it deserved;

• Research and Discovery work, that is, work of a research or novelty nature in the field of film;

• a work reflecting the life of countries whose film production is not widely distributed in France;

• Artwork of artistic or historical interest, including “screen classics”;

• work of short duration, tending to renew the cinematographic art.

The following may also be included in art-house cinematographic programmes:

• Recent works that have reconciled the demands of criticism and public favour and can be considered to make a significant contribution to film art;

• Amateur film works of exceptional character.

Networks of rooms and networks of Art et Essai rooms in Pays de la Loire

A cinema network, whether it is an association of cinemas or a public service mission entrusted by a local authority, has the same objectives:

– encourage exchanges between operators and the development of diversity of supply in a given territory

– animate the reflection around the film diffusion,

– to organise joint actions and demonstrations defending the plurality of cinema,

– encourage the search for new audiences through meetings and events with film professionals,

– encourage image-based education for all audiences, in particular through school facilities and partnerships for the awakening and awareness of young people,

– to guide and promote the technical and cultural training of its members through courses, sessions and film screenings,

– work in partnership with departmental, regional and national associations and/or institutions pursuing common objectives.

The Pays de la Loire region is distinguished by the presence of three departmental networks: SCALA in the Loire-Atlantique, GraiNes d'Images in Sarthe and Atmosphere 53 in Mayenne. There is also an inter-regional network the CAPSA(Association of Western Cinemas for Research).

Creation of film establishments

The DRAC Pays de la Loire examines applications for authorisations to create or expand cinemas filed with the Departmental Commissions for Cinematographic Development (CDAC).

It also examines applications for the creation or extension of itinerant cinema networks. More generally, it participates in a coherent planning of the territory in terms of places of local film distribution.

All approaches to the creation of film establishments are subject to the Code of cinema and animated image.

Outdoor cinema

Any outdoor projection of cinematographic works of more than one hour, free or paid, is subject to authorization issued by the CNC. The DRAC advises the organisers and hears all the requests made on the CNC website.

See the section "Assistance and procedures" for the application procedure.