Film Script (Outline) Filing, Film Management Regulations

State Administration of Radio, Film and Television Decree

(No. 52)

The “Film Script (Outline) Filing, Film Management Regulations” were passed on 3 April 2006 at the Administrative Meeting, are hereby promulgated, and take effect on 22 June 2006.

State Administration of Radio, Film and Television Director: Wang Taihua

22 May 2006

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1: In order to standardize and improve film script (outline) filing and film management systems, raise film quality, make film creation flourish, satisfy the broad masses’ spiritual culture needs, move the healthy development of the film sector forwards, according to the “Film Management Regulations”, these Regulations are formulated.

Article 2: The State implements a film script (outline) filing and film examination system. Film scripts (outlines) not having been filed may not be filmed, films not having passed through examination may not be distributed, screened, imported or exported.

Article 3: These Regulations apply to film script (outline) filing, film examination of all sorts of feature films, documentary films, popular science films, cartoons, special subject films (including Sino-foreign coproduced films of all of the above sorts), etc., produced in the territory of the People’s Republic of China and imported film examination.

Article 4: The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (hereafter simply named SARFT) is responsible for film script (outline) filing and film examination management work.

The SARFT Film Examination Committee and Film Re-examination Committee are responsible for film examination.

Provincial-level administrative radio, film and television entities (hereafter named provincial-level radio, film and television entities) may accept SARFT entrustment after application, to establish film examination organs, to be responsible for a examination work of the part of films shot by work units holding a “Film Shooting Permit” in their administrative areas (hereafter simply named local examination).

Chapter II: Film script (outline) filing

Article 5: Film production work units holding a “Film Shooting Permit” and all sorts of film and television culture work units reregistered with local / city level or higher administration of industry and commerce (hereafter simply named film and television culture work units) shooting films, shall before filming commences, submit a film script (outline) to SARFT or the corresponding provincial-level radio, film and television entities implementing local examination for filing.

In cases of joint filming, one of the work units involved shall conduct filing formalities in advance.

Article 6: For conducting film script (outline) filing formalities, the following materials shall be submitted:

(1) a draft film shooting filing report;

(2) one film plot outline of no less than one thousand characters. For all important film characters and plot details involving content in aspects such as foreign relations, ethnicities, religion, military affairs, public security, judiciary, famous historical persons and famous cultural persons, etc. (hereafter simply named special subject films), a film literature script must be provided in triplicate, and the provincial-level or central and State organs’ corresponding controlling entity’s opinion must be sought;

(3) a film script (outline) copyright agreement (authorization) letter;

(4) film and television culture work units applying to obtain a “Film Shooting Permit (Single Film)”, must provide a copy of their business licence to SARFT and fill out an application of a “Film Shooting Permit (Single Film)”.

Article 7: Film script (outline) filing procedure

(1) Film production work units put forward filing with SARFT or a provincial-level radio, film and television entity implementing local examination;

(2) SARFT or the provincial-level radio, film and television entity implementing local examination shall, according to the time limits provided in the “Administrative Licensing Law”, issue a Film Script (outline) Filing Receipt (specimen in attachment);

If an opinion is not put forward within twenty working days, the producing work units may conduct filming  according to the filed film script (outline);

where an opinion of revision or disapproval of filming  is made of a film script (outline), the producing work unit shall be notified in writing within twenty working days;

where the film script needs to request examination and comment from other relevant controlling authorities and experts, the period shall be extended by twenty working days, and the producing work unit shall be notified in writing.

Article 8: Provincial-level radio, film and television entities implementing local examination shall report the film script (outline) filing situation to SARFT; SARFT shall publicise the film script (outline) filing situation at fixed intervals in relevant media.

Article 9: For filming major revolutionary or major history theme films, it is necessary to submit the script for project establishment examination, to be conducted according to SARFT management regulations concerning major revolutionary and major history theme film script project establishment and finished films.

Article 10: For shooting major reference documentary films, it is necessary to submit the script for project establishment examination, according to SARFT management regulations concerning major reference documentary films.

Article 11: For Sino-foreign film coproduction, it is necessary to submit the script for project establishment examination, according to SARFT management regulations concerning Sino-foreign film coproduction.

Chapter III: Film examination

Article 12: The State encourages creation of excellent films with integration of ideological content, artistic quality and enjoyability, close to reality, close to life, close to the masses, benefiting the protection of the healthy upbringing of minors. Vigorously develop advanced culture, support healthy and beneficial culture, strive to transform backward culture, determinedly resist degenerate culture.

Article 13: Films may not contain the following content:

(1) content that defies the basic principles determined in the Constitution;

(2) content that endangers the unity of the nation, sovereignty or territorial integrity;

(3) content that divulges secrets of the State, endangers national security or ad-mages the honour or benefits of the State;

(4) content that incites the nation hatred or discrimination, undermines the soli-rarity of the nations, or infringes upon national customs and habits;

(5) content that propagates evil cults or superstition;

(6) content that disturbs the public order or destroys the public stability;

(7) content that propagates obscenity, gambling, violence or instigates crimes;

(8) content that insults or slanders others, or infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of others;

(9) content that endangers public ethics or the fine folk cultural traditions;

(10) other contents prohibited by laws, regulations or State provisions.

Article 14: Films having the following circumstances, shall be edited or revised:

(1) twisting Chinese culture and Chinese history, gravely violating historical facts; twisting the history of other countries, not respecting other countries’ culture and customs; criticizing images of revolutionary leaders, heroic characters, important historical characters; distorting Chinese and foreign classic books and the images of important characters from classic books;

(2) maliciously criticizing images of the People’s Army, Armed Police, Public Security and the judiciary;

(3) intermittent salaciousness, sex and vulgar content, depicting details such as promiscuity, rape, prostitution, sexual behaviour, homosexuality, masturbation, male and female genitalia and other intimate parts; intermittent filthy lines, songs, background music and sound effects, etc;

(4) intermittent content such as murder, violence, terror, monsters, occultism, etc., value orientations reversing true and false, good and bad, beauty and ugliness, blurring the basic nature of righteousness and unrighteousness; sedulously displaying unlawful or criminal aggressiveness and arrogance, concretely dies-playing details of criminal activities, revealing special investigation methods; having intensely irritating details such as murder, gore, violence, drug use, gambling, etc, having details such as prisoner abuse, extortion of confession by torturing criminals or criminal suspects; having excessively scary or horrible imp-ages, lines, background music and sound effects;

(5) propagating a negative or dispirited view of life, worldview or value system, sedulously playing up or exaggerating ethnic ignorance and backwardness or the dark side of society;

(6) advocating religious extremism, provoking contradictions and conflicts between all religions and religious denominations, or believers and non-believers, harming the feelings of the masses;

(7) propagating the destruction of the natural environment, abuse of animals, catching, killing and eating of State-protected animals;

(8) excessively displaying excessive drinking, smoking and other bad habits;

(9) having violations of the spirit of relevant laws and regulations.

Article 15: Written language characters such as the film signing, subtitles, etc., shall be implemented according to relevant provision of the “Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China”, “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language”, etc.

Article 16: Technical film quality is to be examined according to relevant State film technology standards.

Article 17: The completed film shall be reported to the corresponding film examination organ for examination. For film submission, the following materials shall be provided:

(1) for double-system recording films

1. a set of double recoding tapes (if BETA image tapes are used to substitute double-system tapes for examination, they shall be reported to SARFT separately for approval), for digital film submission, a set of high-definition digital programme tape;

2. for domestic films, an examination submission report in quadruplicate;

3. a list of names of the films’ main creative personnel;

4. a report on the film name’s English translation (generally reported in advance);

5. the original work adaptation opinion letter;

6. the joint production agreement;

7, a complete screenplay set;

8, the “Film Script (Outline) Filing Receipt”.

(2) for standard copies;

1. two sets of standard copies (one copy each for SARFT and the China Film Archives;

2. three sets of 1/2 film tapes (Sino-foreign co-productions: four sets), one set each of Beta image tapes, Beta advertising tapes, final mix eight-track tapes;

3. a standard copy submission for examination and approval technical appraisal letter;

4. music effect materials of films determined as ethnic language-dubbed;

5. three sets of completed screenplays (ethnic language-dubbed films” four sets);

6. relevant stills.

Digital film technological examination standards and material submission, shall be implemented according to relevant SARFT regulations.

Article 18: Film examination procedure:

(1) the producing work unit shall put forward and examination application with the SARFT Film Examination Committee;

(2) the SARFT Film Examination Committee makes an examination decision within twenty working days of receiving the mixed-recording tapes and corresponding materials. Those examined as meeting standards, are issued a “Film Examination Decision Letter” and a “Public Film Screening Permit”. For those examined to not meet standards or needing revision, an explanation shall be made in the “Film Examination Decision Letter”, and the producing work unit shall be notified;

(3) the SARFT Film Examination Committee makes an examination decision within ten working days of receiving standard copies (digital programme tapes) and corresponding materials. Those examined as meeting standards, are issued a “Public Film Screening Permit”; for those examined to not meet standards or needing revision, the producing work unit shall be notified;

(4) for films submitted for examination again, after being examined as not meeting standards or needing revision, the examination time shall be calculated afresh;

(5) producing work units not agreeing with the Film Examination Committee decision, may put forward a re-examination request within thirty working days of receiving the “Film Examination Decision Letter” with the SARFT Film Re-examination Committee. The SARFT Film Re-examination Committee shall make a re-examination decision within twenty working days. Those re-examined as meeting standards, are issued a “Public Film Screening Permit”; of those not meeting standards, the producing work unit shall be notified in writing;

(6) Provincial-level radio, film and television entities implementing local examination, shall according to these Regulations conduct film examination, those examined as meeting standards, are issued a “Film Examination Decision Letter” and a “Standard Copy Submission Technical Appraisal Letter”; those examined as not meeting standards or needing revision, shall be handled according to the relevant provisions of Article 18, Paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of these Regulations.

Producing work units holding a “Film Examination Decision Letter”, a “Standard Copy Submission Technical Appraisal Letter” and the corresponding documents as provided in Article 17 of these Regulations, go to SARFT to obtain a “Public Film Screening Permit”.

Article 19: When provincial-level radio, film and television entities implementing local examination deem it necessary, they may submit a film application to the SARFT Film Examination Committee for examination.

Where producing work units object to the provincial-level radio, film and television entity’s examination decision, they may request re-examination with the SARFT Film Examination Committee.

Article 20: Jointly produced films are to be submitted for examination to the corresponding film examination organ according to these Regulations by the producing work unit that conducted filing formalities.

Article 21: Major revolutionary and history theme films, major reference documentary films, special subject films and Sino-foreign coproduced films, after preliminary provincial-level radio, film and television entity examination and agreement, are reported to the SARFT film examination organ for examination.

Article 22: Films shot by central and State organs’ subordinate film production work units and work units holding a “Film Shooting Permit (Single Film)” are reported directly to the SARFT Film Examination Committee for examination.

Article 23: Imported film examination is handled according to the relevant provisions of Chapter 4 of the “Film Management Regulations” concerning film import and Chapter III of these Regulations concerning film examination.

Chapter IV: Supplementary Provisions

Article 24: Activities violating these Regulations are to be dealt with according to the “Film Management Regulations” and other relevant laws and regulations.

Article 25: These Regulations take effect on 22 June 2006. The “Film Examination Regulations” (Ministry of Radio, Film and Television Decree No. 22) promulgated by the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television on 16 January 1007, and the “Provisional Film Script (Outline) Project Establishment and Film Examination Regulations” (SARFT Decree no. 30) are abolished at the same time.

国家广播电影电视总局令

（第 52 号）

《电影剧本（梗概）备案、电影片管理规定》经2006年4月3日局务会议通过，现予发布，自2006年6月22日起施行。

国家广播电影电视总局局长：王太华

二○○六年五月二十二日

电影剧本（梗概）备案、电影片管理规定

第一章  总则

第一条 为规范和改进电影剧本（梗概）备案和电影片管理制度，提高电影质量，繁荣电影创作，满足广大群众的精神文化需求，推进电影业健康发展，根据《电影管理条例》，制定本规定。
第二条 国家实行电影剧本（梗概）备案和电影片审查制度。未经备案的电影剧本（梗概）不得拍摄，未经审查通过的电影片不得发行、放映、进口、出口。
第三条 本规定适用于在中华人民共和国境内公映的各类故事片、纪录片、科教片、动画片、专题片（含以上各类型的中外合拍片）等的电影剧本（梗概）备案、电影片审查和进口片审查。
第四条 国家广播电影电视总局（以下简称广电总局）负责电影剧本（梗概）备案和电影片审查的管理工作。
广电总局电影审查委员会和电影复审委员会负责电影片的审查。
省级广播影视行政部门（以下简称省级广电部门），经申请可以受广电总局委托，成立电影审查机构，负责本行政区域内持有《摄制电影许可证》的制片单位摄制的部分电影片的审查工作（以下简称属地审查）。

第二章  电影剧本（梗概）备案

第五条 持有《摄制电影许可证》的电影制片单位和在地市级以上工商部门注册登记的各类影视文化单位（以下简称影视文化单位）摄制电影片，应在拍摄前将电影剧本（梗概）送广电总局或相应的实行属地审查的省级广电部门备案。
联合摄制电影片的，应当由其中的一个单位提前办理备案手续。
第六条 办理电影剧本（梗概）备案手续，应当提供下列材料：
（一）拟拍摄影片的备案报告；
（二）不少于一千字的电影剧情梗概一份。凡影片主要人物和情节涉及外交、民族、宗教、军事、公安、司法、历史名人和文化名人等方面内容的（以下简称特殊题材影片），需提供电影文学剧本一式三份，并要征求省级或中央、国家机关相关主管部门的意见；
（三）电影剧本（梗概）版权的协议（授权）书；
（四）影视文化单位申请领取《摄制电影片许可证（单片）》，需向广电总局提供本单位营业执照副本及填报《摄制电影片许可证（单片）》申请书。
第七条 电影剧本（梗概）备案的程序：
（一）制片单位向广电总局或实行属地审查的省级广电部门提出备案；
（二）广电总局或实行属地审查的省级广电部门按照《行政许可法》规定的期限，发给《电影剧本（梗概）备案回执单》（式样附后）。
如在二十个工作日内没有提出意见的，制片单位可按备案的电影剧本（梗概）进行拍摄；
如对备案的电影剧本（梗概）有修改意见或不同意拍摄的，应在二十个工作日内书面通知制片单位；
如电影剧本需另请相关主管部门和专家评审的，需延长二十个工作日，并书面告知制片单位。
第八条 实行属地审查的省级广电部门，应将电影剧本（梗概）备案情况抄报广电总局；广电总局将定期在相关媒体公布电影剧本（梗概）备案情况。
第九条 拍摄重大革命和重大历史题材影片，需报送剧本立项审查，按照广电总局关于重大革命和重大历史题材电影剧本立项及完成片的管理规定办理。
第十条 拍摄重大文献纪录影片，需报送剧本立项审查，按照广电总局关于重大文献纪录影片的管理规定办理。
第十一条 中外合作摄制影片，需报送剧本立项审查，按照广电总局关于中外合作摄制电影片的管理规定办理。

第三章  电影片审查

第十二条 国家提倡创作思想性、艺术性、观赏性统一，贴近实际、贴近生活、贴近群众，有利于保护未成年人健康成长的优秀电影。大力发展先进文化，支持健康有益文化，努力改造落后文化，坚决抵制腐朽文化。
第十三条 电影片禁止载有下列内容：
（一）违反宪法确定的基本原则的；
（二）危害国家统一、主权和领土完整的；
（三）泄露国家秘密，危害国家安全，损害国家荣誉和利益的；
（四）煽动民族仇恨、民族歧视，破坏民族团结，侵害民族风俗、习惯的；
（五）违背国家宗教政策，宣扬邪教、迷信的；
（六）扰乱社会秩序，破坏社会稳定的；
（七）宣扬淫秽、赌博、暴力、教唆犯罪的；
（八）侮辱或者诽谤他人，侵害他人合法权益的；
（九）危害社会公德，诋毁民族优秀文化的；
（十）有国家法律、法规禁止的其他内容的。
第十四条 电影片有下列情形，应删剪修改：
（一）曲解中华文明和中国历史，严重违背历史史实；曲解他国历史，不尊重他国文明和风俗习惯；贬损革命领袖、英雄人物、重要历史人物形象；篡改中外名著及名著中重要人物形象的；
（二）恶意贬损人民军队、武装警察、公安和司法形象的；
（三）夹杂淫秽色情和庸俗低级内容，展现淫乱、强奸、卖淫、嫖娼、性行为、性变态等情节及男女性器官等其他隐秘部位；夹杂肮脏低俗的台词、歌曲、背景音乐及声音效果等；
（四）夹杂凶杀、暴力、恐怖内容，颠倒真假、善恶、美丑的价值取向，混淆正义与非正义的基本性质；刻意表现违法犯罪嚣张气焰，具体展示犯罪行为细节，暴露特殊侦查手段；有强烈刺激性的凶杀、血腥、暴力、吸毒、赌博等情节；有虐待俘虏、刑讯逼供罪犯或犯罪嫌疑人等情节；有过度惊吓恐怖的画面、台词、背景音乐及声音效果；
（五）宣扬消极、颓废的人生观、世界观和价值观，刻意渲染、夸大民族愚昧落后或社会阴暗面的；
（六）鼓吹宗教极端主义，挑起各宗教、教派之间，信教与不信教群众之间的矛盾和冲突，伤害群众感情的；
（七）宣扬破坏生态环境，虐待动物，捕杀、食用国家保护类动物的；
（八）过分表现酗酒、吸烟及其他陋习的；
（九）违背相关法律、法规精神的。
第十五条 电影片的署名、字幕等语言文字，应按《中华人民共和国著作权法》、《中华人民共和国国家通用语言文字法》等有关规定执行。
第十六条 电影片技术质量按照国家有关电影技术标准审查。
第十七条 摄制完成的电影片应当报相应的电影审查机构审查。送审电影片应当提供下列材料：
（一）混录双片
1.混录双片一套（如用贝塔录像带代替混录双片送审，需另报广电总局批准），数字电影送高清数字节目带一套；
2.国产电影片送审报告单一式四份；
3.影片主创人员名单；
4.影片英文译名报告（一般提前申报）；
5.原著改编意见书；
6.联合摄制合同书；
7.完成台本一套；
8.《电影剧本（梗概）备案回执单》。
（二）标准拷贝
1.标准拷贝两套（广电总局和中国电影资料馆各一套）；
2.影片1/2录像带三套（中外合拍片四套）、贝塔录像带、贝塔宣传带、终混八轨带各一套；
3.送审标准拷贝技术鉴定书；
4.被定为民族语译制影片的音乐效果素材；
5.完成台本三套（民族语译制影片为四套）；
6.相关剧照。
数字电影的技术审查标准及需提交的材料，按照广电总局有关规定执行。
第十八条 电影片的审查程序：
（一）制片单位应向广电总局电影审查委员会提出审查申请；
（二）广电总局电影审查委员会自收到混录双片及相关材料之日起二十个工作日内作出审查决定。审查合格的，发给《影片审查决定书》和《电影片公映许可证》片头。审查不合格或需要修改的，应在《影片审查决定书》中作出说明，并通知制片单位；
（三）广电总局电影审查委员会自收到标准拷贝（数字节目带）及相关材料之日起十个工作日内作出审查决定。审查合格的，发给《电影片公映许可证》；审查不合格或需要修改的，应通知制片单位；
（四）影片审查不合格需经修改后再次送审的，审查期限重新计算；
（五）制片单位对电影片审查决定不服的，可以自收到《影片审查决定书》之日起三十个工作日内向广电总局电影复审委员会提出复审申请。广电总局电影复审委员会应在二十个工作日内作出复审决定。复审合格的，发给《电影片公映许可证》；不合格的，书面通知制片单位；
（六）实行属地审查的省级广电部门，应依照本规定进行电影片审查，审查合格的，颁发《影片审查决定书》和《送审标准拷贝技术鉴定书》；审查不合格或需要修改的，按本规定第十八条（二）、（三）、（四）款项中相关规定办理。
制片单位持《影片审查决定书》、《送审标准拷贝技术鉴定书》及本规定第十七条规定的相关材料，到广电总局领取《电影片公映许可证》。
第十九条 实行属地审查的省级广电部门认为必要时，可以将送审影片提交广电总局电影审查委员会审查。
制片单位对省级广电部门的审查决定有异议的，可以向广电总局电影审查委员会申请重审。
第二十条 联合摄制的电影片，由办理备案手续的制片单位按照本规定送相应的电影审查机构审查。
第二十一条 重大革命和重大历史题材影片、重大文献纪录影片、特殊题材影片、中外合作摄制影片，由省级广电部门初审同意后，报广电总局电影审查机构审查。
第二十二条 中央和国家机关所属的电影制片单位和所有持有《摄制电影片许可证（单片）》的单位摄制的影片，直接报广电总局电影审查委员会审查。
第二十三条 进口电影片的审查，按照《电影管理条例》第四章关于电影进口和本规定第三章关于电影片审查的相关条款办理。

第四章  附则

第二十四条 对违反本规定的行为，依据《电影管理条例》和其他有关法律、法规进行处理。
第二十五条 本规定自2006年6月22日起施行。1997年1月16日广播电影电视部发布的《电影审查规定》（广播电影电视部令第22号）、2004年7月6日广电总局发布的《电影剧本（梗概）立项、电影片审查暂行规定》（广电总局令第30号）同时废止。