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Kazakhstan probes cinema chains over unfair box office revenue splits

A heated debate erupts as lawmakers demand transparency in cinema revenue sharing. Could this audit rewrite the rules for Kazakhstan's struggling film industry?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
The image shows a bar chart on a white background with text that reads "revenue, usd billion". The...
The image shows a bar chart on a white background with text that reads "revenue, usd billion". The chart is composed of several bars of varying heights, each representing a different year. The bars are labeled with the corresponding year, and the height of each bar indicates the amount of revenue generated from each year.

Kazakhstan probes cinema chains over unfair box office revenue splits

Kazakhstan's parliament is investigating cinema chains over claims of excessive box office fees. Deputy Yelnur Beisenbayev has accused theaters of taking an unfair share of revenue, harming the country's film industry. The Mazhilis has now announced plans for a full audit of the sector.

The dispute centres on the current system, where cinema chains automatically take 50% of gross ticket sales from a film's first day. Deputies argue this leaves filmmakers struggling to recover production costs, especially for state-funded projects. In some cases, theaters earn far more than the state's initial investment before the budget breaks even.

The Amanat party faction has proposed that theaters should only claim a share of revenue after studios recoup their expenses. Beisenbayev also called for a review of all contracts between theaters, distributors, and studios. His concerns extend beyond fees, questioning whether the system creates fair competition for Kazakhstani filmmakers. During a plenary session, Acting Trade and Integration Minister Aidar Abildabekov faced tough questions from lawmakers. His inability to provide clear answers led to a reprimand from the speaker. The Mazhilis also ratified changes to the EAEU's technical regulations, raising separate concerns about new certification costs for Kazakhstani manufacturers and mandatory electronic documentation for exports and imports.

The audit will examine whether cinema chains are justified in taking half of box office earnings from day one. Lawmakers want a fairer split that protects filmmakers and ensures state-funded projects recover costs. The outcome could reshape how revenue is shared in Kazakhstan's film industry.

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