The Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora held a hearing today with the National Center of Cinematography (NCC) to discuss the draft law “On the 2026 State Budget.”

NCC Director Jonid Jorgji opened the session by urging swift action to seize what he called a decisive moment for Albania. He said international film studios now see Southeastern Europe as an attractive destination for production.

“This moment is crucial,” Jorgji stated. “If we attract these productions now, we can turn Albania into a regional hub for film. But if we delay, other countries like Serbia, Bulgaria, and Hungary—already promoting themselves aggressively—will take that opportunity.”

Jorgji presented several programs the NCC is implementing to support this goal. One major step is the creation of the Albania Film Commission, a promotion office that mirrors similar institutions across Europe.

Another initiative is the Career Office, designed to strengthen the country’s audiovisual workforce. Jorgji explained that the office will engage young professionals who studied in Albania and want to train further in directing, screenwriting, or sound. The NCC is negotiating scholarships and partnerships with leading European universities to support them.

Jorgji also outlined a plan to revitalize more than ten cinema halls across the country. The NCC will work with municipalities and the Ministry of Local Government to reopen these venues. “Some cinemas have received investment but remain closed,” Jorgji said. “We will train their staff and ensure they screen Albanian films.”

Jorgji stressed that the current Cinematography Law, in place since 1996, needs a full update. He argued that film should be treated not only as art but as an industry that generates economic growth. “Every lek invested in the region returns multiple times over,” he said. “The audiovisual industry directly supports tourism and the wider economy.”

For 2026, the NCC will receive 181.7 million lekë, up from 166.8 million lekë in 2025.