SCREEN Act

This measure limits when the U.S. government can help make movies using State Department resources. A U.S. film company could only get that help if it lists any of its films sent to Chinese officials for review in the past 10 years (or since the law takes effect), names each film and the date, and signs a written promise not to change the film’s content because of requests from Chinese officials. The company must give this list and agreement to the State Department before getting support.

It also blocks any federal help or access to federal assets for a film if it is co-produced with a company in China that is under content rules set by Chinese officials, or if the company is identified in a required report as having changed films for Chinese officials. The Secretary of State must send Congress a report within 180 days of the law taking effect and then every year. This report lists films sent to Chinese officials, films covered by the “no changes” agreements, and any films the Secretary believes were altered for Chinese officials during certain recent time periods. A “United States company” means a private company formed under U.S. law.

Key points:

• Who is affected: U.S. movie companies that want help or access to assets from the State Department or other federal agencies.
• What changes: Companies must disclose past submissions of films to Chinese officials and agree not to change content for them. Federal help is barred for certain co-productions with Chinese companies or for companies flagged for altering films.
• When: First report due 180 days after the law takes effect, then annually. The disclosure look-back is up to 10 years or since the law takes effect, whichever is shorter.