24/05/2002 - Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Culture and Audiovisual Production, announces initiatives in 50 cities

European Film is doing well, developing and has an excellent future full of new surprises. Viviane Reding, the European Union´s Commissioner for Culture and Audiovisual Production presented her Media Award to Bosnian-Belgian film director, Danis Tanovic No Man´s Land.

Viviane Reding read out the numbers that prove the upturn: 27% more European films screened in theatres, and 21% more European but not necessarily nationally-made films screened.
The European Union has made a significant contribution that is obvious to everyone at the Cannes Film Festival. Eight of the films selected were made with funding from the Media Programme. «But we can do more,» said Reding «with new instruments. November 15-23 will see the launch of the Week of Europe´s Film Heritage with the screening of the most significant films in the cinemas and filmclubs of 50 cities. We are targeting young people and students, who will be encouraged to come and see these films and talk to the directors afterwards.» At the same the Ned@tys will be launched on the Internet. It will bring together thousands of schools, both European and non, and give them the opportunity to discuss issues like visual education.
«During this week we will ask Europe´s television networks, both public and private, to create public awareness.»

Viviane Reding also said that eight countries «especially from Eastern Europe» have asked to become members of Media Programme. «They are Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Repubblic, Estonia, Lettonia, Lituania, Poland and Slovakia. Slovenia is also a candidate to join. The time has come for us to extend a welcoming hand to countries with a great film tradition but whose films don´t manage to find space in the European market.» (Ulterior information about the Media Programme are available on on this page).

(Translated from Italian)