The National Office for Commerce and the Cinematographic Industry (ONCIC), was a film production and distribution organization in Algeria1. Created in 1967, converted in 1987 into the Algerian Center for Art and the Cinematographic Industry (CAAIC), the ONCIC has notably produced films which have won several international distinctions including the Oscar for best foreign language film with Z de Costa -Gavras in 1970, and the Palme d'Or with Chronicle of the Ember Years by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina at the Cannes Film Festival in 1975.

In 1963, a year after Algeria gained its independence, the state decided to nationalize film production. Previously, this industry was under the influence of French colonialism, which used it mainly for propaganda purposes to legitimize its established colonial policies. This situation prevented the development of Algerian cinema in favor of exclusively French production.

In 1964, thanks to Decree No. 64-164 of June 8, 1964 (amended and supplemented by Decree No. 64-261 of August 31, 1964), the National Center of Algerian Cinema (CNC) was officially created. Subsequently, on August 19, 1964, the National Cinema Institute (INC) was created under the aegis of the CNC. At the same time, the Algerian National Cinematheque was also created, in accordance with Decree No. 64-164 of June 8, 1964.

In 1967, three years after their creation, these two organizations merged to create the National Office for Commerce and the Cinematographic Industry (ONCIC). This merger follows the regulation of art and the film industry by Ordinance No. 67-52 of March 17, 1967, which was subsequently modified and supplemented by Ordinance No. 68-612 of November 15. 1968, and subsequently amended by Ordinance No. 69-34 of May 22, 1969. This regulation grants ONCIC a monopoly on the importation and distribution of films.

On May 15, 1970, a decree was issued to grant ONCIC a monopoly in the field of cinematographic co-production.


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