Major European film and audiovisual organizations have issued a joint statement calling for the strengthening of creative Europe’s media programs amid fears for their future.
The letter is signed by 16 organisations representing film and television directors, producers, training and networking organizations, markets and festivals, sales agents, publishers, film distributors and film operators.
This comes at a time when concerns are growing about the future shape of the media programme, and ahead of next week’s meeting of the Minister of Culture of Europe.
The European Commission is currently discussing funding priorities for the EU’s long-term budget, the financial framework for the next few years.
Budget talks to be implemented between 2028 and 2034 have intensified with calls to spend more money on defense and strengthen the bloc’s declining competitiveness.
There are concerns that the Creative Europe program is no longer a standalone program in its next budget, but is wrapped in a broader program related to citizenship and democracy, or a program focusing on competitiveness.
“The strengthening of the media for the future’s powerful, vibrant, independent European films and audiovisual sector is only possible by maintaining it as a clear program,” the statement said. “This should be done by ensuring the right balance between cultural and industrial goals, which are what determines the competitiveness of the sector and ensures the best possible budget.
“The film and audiovisual sectors need an effective and sector-coordinated EU funding programme to protect the long-term resilience, competitiveness and vitality of the European cultural and creative ecosystem.”
The media program is “undoubtedly a success story,” which “helps helping to help the European film and audiovisual sectors become more and more culturally and creatively diverse, actively supporting collaboration at the European level, and supports the development of the market and audience of European film and television productions.”
The letter also highlighted the importance of media to strengthen cultural diversity, democratic values, and European identity, and “to promote innovation, competitiveness, economic growth and skilled work while strengthening social cohesion.”
Creative Europe has a budget of 2.444 billion euros ($2.666 billion) over seven years from 2021 to 27, and has three subprograms. Media, culture (supports all other cultural and creative sectors except AV and film) and cross-sectors (stimulates collaboration across sectors). Media receives the largest share of Creative Europe’s budget (minimum 58%).
The letter signers are: Audiovisual Training Coalition (ATC). Eurocinema; European distribution; Europa International; European audiovisual production (CEPI); European film promotion (EFP); European Producers Club (EPC); European Federation of Screen Directors (FERA); European Film and Audiovisual Market (Facial); United Nations of Art House Cinema (CICAE); International Association of Film Distributors and Publishers (FIAD); International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF); International Federation of Film Producers (UNIC); International Federation of Video (IVF); SMART7 and Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA).
(TagStoTranslate) Creative Europe (T) Europe (T) Funding News
