Recent Development
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (“Ministry“) published the Regulation on Procedures and Principles for the Evaluation and Classification of Cinema Films (“Regulation“) on October 22, 2019. The Regulation annuls the namesake regulation dated February 18, 2005 and introduces new rules on the evaluation, classification and screenings of cinema films. The regulation enters into force as of the date of the publication.
What’s New?
Pursuant to the new Regulation, cinema films and trailers will continue to be evaluated and classified prior to their release or commercial circulation, for sexuality, nudity, violence, horror and undesirable behaviors such as drug use and offensive language. In this respect, the Ministry updated the content rating signs and markings under the annulled Regulation. These signs are shown prior to the screening of a movie or on any promotional material relating to the movie.
One of the notable changes introduced in the Regulation stipulates that cinema films evaluated and classified under the Regulation cannot be broadcast or communicated to the public through paid platforms such as cable, satellite, terrestrial and internet for five months and six months on free platforms after the movie’s theatrical release.
The Regulation also introduced new obligations regarding movie theater operators. Accordingly, movie theater operators must provide the necessary hardware and software systems for the transmission of certain information to the Ministry, such as information on broadcast films, tickets and other information requested by the Ministry. The Ministry also banned bundle sales where a product or service is offered for sale along with the movie ticket. Purchasing a certain product or service can no longer be a condition for the sale of a movie ticket.
As per the Regulation, the advertisement period prior to the movie screening is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. Movie trailer are also limited to a minimum of three and a maximum of five minutes. Movie producers, event organizers, movie theater operators and distributors that fail to comply with the conditions in the Regulation while broadcasting or distributing movies will be subject to administrative fines between TRY 20,000 and TRY 50,000.
Conclusion
The Regulation introduces new provisions concerning movie producers, event organizers, movie theater operators and distributers. All relevant parties must carefully review the new rules under the Regulation and take active steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.
