3 things you should know about cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas in Vietnam

3 things you should know about cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet responded as follows:

1. Criteria for cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas in Vietnam

According to Clause 1, Article 19 of the Law on Cinematography 2022, cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas shall satisfy the following criteria:

- Such facilities are enterprises or public service providers established according to the law;

- Such facilities have cinemas that meet technical standards as prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam.

2. Rights of cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas in Vietnam

According to Clause 2, Article 19 of the Law on Cinematography 2022, cinematographic facilities that disseminate films in cinemas may:

(i) Refuse to serve viewers when they use banned substances or stimulants; bring weapons, incendiary and explosive materials, radioactive substances, hazardous substances, or banned substances into the cinema; cause disorder and obstruction at the cinema;

(ii) Prevent the copying, recording, video recording, and spreading of films contrary to the law;

(iii) Request violating individuals prescribed in Point a and Point b of this Clause to leave the cinema and request competent agencies or persons to handle such individuals.

3. Obligations of cinema establishments to disseminate films in cinemas

Cinema establishments that disseminate films in cinemas must ensure the fulfillment of the following obligations:

(1) Ensure the film dissemination follows the registered business and assigned or approved functions and tasks;

(2) Only distribute films with Film Rating Licenses or Broadcast Decisions, except for the case of self-rating of films as prescribed in Point b Clause 2 Article 21 of this Law;

(3) Ensure the criteria for film dissemination for each form of film dissemination;

(4) Show film rating and warning according to regulations promulgated by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam;

(5) Ensure the percentage of Vietnamese film screening sessions, Vietnamese film screening time frames, and duration and time frame of children’s films, specifically as follows:

- Vietnamese films shall be screened in cinema systems, especially films celebrating major national holidays and serving political, social, and foreign affairs tasks at the request of competent state agencies.

- Vietnamese films shall be prioritized for screening during the time frame from 6 pm to 10 pm.

- The percentage of Vietnamese film screening sessions in cinema systems shall be conducted according to the following roadmap:

= Stage 1: From January 1, 2023 to the end of December 31, 2025, ensure at least 15% of the total screening session in a year;

= Stage 2: From January 1, 2026, ensure at least 20% of the total screening session in a year;

- The time frame for the screening of films for children under 13 years old shall end before 10 pm and before 11 pm for children under 16 years old.

(6) Ensure viewers are of the right age according to film ratings;

(7) Conduct ticket price exemption or discount for the elderly, the disabled, revolutionary contributors, children, people in especially difficult circumstances, and other subjects as prescribed by law, specifically as follows:

- The elderly, the disabled, revolutionary contributors, children, people in especially difficult circumstances, and other subjects as prescribed by law may receive at least a 20% discount on film ticket prices when directly using film viewing services at cinemas. 

- People with particularly severe disabilities may be exempted from ticket prices or receive at least a 50% discount on film tickets when directly using film viewing services at cinemas.

(8) Implement data connection and comply with regulations on submission of reports on operational status at the request of competent state agencies.

(9) Terminate the dissemination of films at the written request of a competent state agency.

(Clause 2, Article 18, Clause 3, Article 19 of the Law on Cinematography 2022 and Article 9, 10 of Decree 131/2022/ND-CP)

Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE