KIPA AND NETFLIX ESTABLISH NEW COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND IN POLAND

The Polish Producers Alliance (KIPA), in cooperation with Netflix, announced the creation of a new Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund to help the hardest hit workers in the television and cinema industry due to the productions shut down in Poland caused by the coronavirus crisis. The fund will operate under the slogan “Producers help the crews”.

In detail, Netflix will donate 2.5 million zł to KIPA to help launch the fund. The grant is available to the most vulnerable crew members in the TV and film sector - professionals whose craftsmanship is crucial to the quality of production and who, often being freelancers, are unable to work due to the almost complete suspension of production. The aid will be directed to all film divisions - set designers, make-up artists, sound operators, DOPs, camera assistants, grippers, focus pullers, storyboard makers, gaffers, and many more representing below-the-line professions.

The Polish Producers Alliance is the only chamber of commerce in the Polish audiovisual industry. With 20 years of experience, it associates over 140 members, production companies, independent producers and regional film funds. One of its main objectives is to represent and protect the economic interests of its members and to support sustainable development of the entire audiovisual sector.

“The funds will help us maintain emergency support we have put in place for the most fragile workers from the cultural industries. One of KIPA’ core values is solidarity, and we understand that since Netflix implements projects in Poland it feels a part of our market. Therefore, for us this is a natural move that Netflix is contributing to support freelancers from TV and cinema industries in these difficult times for the media and culture at large. It’s a noble gesture,”  said Alicja Grawon-Jaksik, President of the Chamber.

“We’re grateful to be able to work with KIPA to support the hardest hit crew members in the TV and film production, who are a part of the internationally admired Polish creative industry. In addition to the support we give to the crews, casts and technical partners involved in our productions, we also want to help those who most need financial assistance in the sector more broadly, especially freelancers hit by the current crisis,”  added Anna Nagler, Director of Local Language Originals for CEE at Netflix.