France's Ile de Franceregion - the area that incorporates Paris and its environs - has announced itwill increase its available film funding by Euros 2m to Euros 12m next yearwith a view to bumping the total up to Euros 15M over the course of the next fewyears.

The existing Euros 10m fundwas established in 2001 to aid filmmakers (and in some cases televisionproductions) who shoot or post their projects in the area as a means to fightrunaway production. Since the fund wasestablished, 52 films have received aid including 20 first films.

The region's system isespecially attractive given that foreigners are easily able to benefit from itif they do at least 50% of their shoot or 50% of their posting in the area. USfilms to have accessed the funding in the past include Norman Jewison's The Statement and James Ivory's Le Divorce.

Upcoming local films whichhave used the aid include Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement, QuartierVIP starring Johnny Halliday and ArseneLupin from Jean-Paul Salome with Romain Duris and Kristin Scott Thomas.