Lawmakers seek to boost film industry in Armenia, regulate copyright and PG rating

11:53,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Lawmakers from the opposition Bright Armenia and the ruling My Step bloc have brought forward a legislative initiative seeking to regulate the film industry in Armenia, notably raise the level of copyright protection, state sponsorship transparency and stipulate content rating.

“Not a single legal act regulating the cinematography sector is in place in Armenia,” Bright Armenia lawmaker Anna Kostanyan said in parliament. “The filming of foreign motion pictures in Armenia isn’t anyhow encouraged. Screening of films in cinemas and on television is done without [parental guidance content rating].”

The law is also expected to boost the film industry, contribute to foreign investments and increase competition.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS