14/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - Following complaints from two major players in the European film sector, the European Commission announced, on Wednesday 13 February, that it is launching an in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the funding of the Ciudad de la Luz film studio complex near Alicante in Spain. The Commission doubts that a private investor would have provided 100% funding for such a new, large scale entrant in a competitive market. The investigation should enable the Commission to determine whether the funding by the Valencia Regional Government constitutes illegal state aid which distorts competition between European film studios. The Commission welcomes comments from interested parties, particularly competing film studios. (C.D.)