CNC

The Guardian of French Cinema

The Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image), or CNC, is a French government agency operating under the Ministry of Culture. Established in 1946, it has a much broader mandate than a typical classification board. The CNC is a central pillar of the French film industry, responsible for its funding, promotion, preservation, and regulation.

Roles and Responsibilities

The CNC’s activities are multifaceted:

• Funding and Support: It manages a sophisticated system of subsidies and taxes (levied on box office receipts, television broadcasters, and video sales) that are reinvested into the production of new French films.
• Film Classification: The CNC is responsible for issuing the ‘visa d’exploitation,’ the mandatory certificate required for a film to be shown in French cinemas. This certificate includes an age rating determined by the Classification Commission. The ratings are:
  • U (Tous publics): Universal, suitable for all audiences.
  • -12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans): Prohibited for under 12s.
  • -16 (Interdit aux moins de 16 ans): Prohibited for under 16s.
  • -18 (Interdit aux moins de 18 ans): Prohibited for under 18s.
• Heritage and Promotion: The agency is responsible for the preservation of France’s cinematic heritage and for promoting French films both domestically and internationally.

Through these functions, the CNC plays a vital role in maintaining the cultural and economic vitality of one of the world’s most significant film industries.