Angola: New Cinema and Audiovisual Regulation

Presidential Decree 195/26, of September 30, 2026, has approved the Regulation of the Cinema and Audiovisual Law, which implements the framework originally established by Law n.º 7/12, of January 18, 2012. Below is an outline of the new Regulation.

1. General Scope and Objectives

• Core Purpose: Regulates the principles, mechanisms, and rules governing the development, promotion, and protection of cinematographic and audiovisual activities in Angola.
• Applicability: Governs all production, distribution, exhibition, and broadcasting activities within national territory.
• Target Entities: Applies broadly to both individuals and corporate entities, across public and private sectors.
• Key Sectors Covered: Expands definitions to explicitly regulate digital games, animation works, independent producers, and video-on-demand (VOD) catalogs.

2. State Funding, Incentives, and International Co-Productions

• Financial Assistance: Establishes non-reimbursable financial support channeled through the Fundo Nacional do Cinema e do Audiovisual.
• State Counterparts: Supported productions grant the State the right to non-commercial exhibition for cultural and educational purposes.
• Targeted Incentives: Outlines distinct state programs focusing on new talent/first works, script writing, distribution, and internationalization.
• Tax and Filming Incentives: Offers fiscal incentives to attract foreign productions, positioning Angola as an international filming destination.

3. Licensing, Permits, and Operational Lifecycles

The Regulation segments compliance requirements into three distinct market phases:

• Production (Visto de Rodagem): All filming or recording on national territory requires a mandatory “Shooting Visa” issued by the regulatory agency. It requires detailed project data (scripts, budgets, insurance). Local authorities may facilitate site access, but security and emergency service coordination remain the producer’s responsibility.
• Distribution (Licença de Distribuição): Commercializing or renting content requires a distribution license. Distributors must maintain physical infrastructure for content storage and ensure commercial works are subtitled or dubbed in Portuguese.
• Exhibition (Registo de Exibidor): Movie theaters and exhibition spaces must secure formal registration before opening to the public. It mandates age rating displays on all promotional materials and strict adherence to content access timetables.

4. Special Sectorial Fees and Levies

• Commercial Advertising Fee: Commercial advertising displayed in cinemas, television broadcasts, or VOD platforms is subject to an exhibition tax borne exclusively by the advertiser.
• Pay-TV Operator Levy: Pay-TV operators must pay a fixed annual fee calculated per active user subscription.
• Distribution Fee: Commercial distributors must pay an annual distribution fee. Exemptions apply to certified educational, cultural, and animation content.

5. Mandatory Statistical Registration

• Statistical Enrollment: A mandatory census registry (Registo Estatístico) is established for production companies, post-production studios, technical equipment providers, and independent professionals.

6. Compliance, Enforcement, and Grace Periods

• Mandatory Insurance: Civil liability insurance is strictly mandatory for any production involving high-risk or hazardous filming conditions.
• Fines and Sanctions: General infractions face administrative fines ranging from 10 to 50 national minimum wages. The regulatory agency may also apply ancillary sanctions, such as a 2-year suspension of licenses or loss of state subsidies.
• Transition Timeline: Existing entities currently operating within the market are granted a strict 90-day grace period from the date of publication to fully conform their operations to the new rules.