Designing a Structural Policy-Making Model for the Development of Iran's Cinema Industry

One of the key areas in cultural industries and the cultural economy is cinema, which holds significant importance from cultural, social, and economic perspectives. Moreover, the cinema industry serves as a primary tool for cultural formation within society. The cinematic space, by creating unique conditions for the audience and instilling specific ideas, plays a fundamental role in changing societal attitudes. One of the pathways to achieving development is the adoption and implementation of accurate and timely policies. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to design a policy-making model for the development of Iran's cinema industry. The method used is applied in terms of purpose and employs a mixed-method approach with a descriptive nature. The analysis method in the qualitative phase is thematic analysis, and in the quantitative phase, it is interpretive structural modeling. The statistical sample of the study included 10 cinema industry experts in the qualitative phase and 12 individuals in the quantitative phase. The sampling method in both phases was purposive non-random sampling. Based on documented policies, including approvals, regulations, and directives, as well as the programs of the Ministers of Culture and Islamic Guidance in different periods and interview analyses, 20 categories for the development of Iran's cinema industry were identified. These categories were then considered as inputs for interpretive structural modeling, and a hierarchical structuring was carried out based on them. Indicators such as "government participation and oversight in production, distribution, and content," "development of the cultural economy," "attention to guilds and non-governmental associations," "export of cinematic works," "intellectual property rights of works," "participation in festivals," and "employment and livelihood of artists and filmmakers" were identified as the foundation and basis of the policy-making structure for the development of the cinema industry.