16/03/2011

At a press conference held at the EU Delegation in Amman, Jordan on March 15, the European Commission launched the third Euromed Audiovisual Programme, a cooperation and exchange initiative for the development of the film sector in the Mediterranean region and the enhancement and sustainable transfer of knowledge and best practices through a wide set of networking activities and training initiatives for professionals and national authorities.

Working with an €11m budget over three years (2011-13), Euromed Audiovisual III will fund seven projects in nine South Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria and Tunisia.

Five of the seven projects will train Mediterranean film professionals in key areas of development, including production, documentaries, features and co-productions.

The sixth project will support the distribution of Euro-Mediterranean films in the region through the creation of a Video-on-Demand platform, while the seventh focuses on developing resources and institutional capacities in the Mediterranean region through, among other things, activities that reinforce the institutional and legislative framework in the cinematic and audiovisual fields.

Cineuropa is part of the consortium that won the call of tenders to implement the programme’s technical assistance unit, which will assure the follow-up of the supported projects and organization of networks between Euro-Mediterranean professionals.

Previously, Euromed Audiovisual I (2000-2005) and Euromed Audiovisual II (2006-2009) focused on reinforcing intercultural dialogue to promote exchange across the Mediterranean, and help professionals get training and develop, distribute and promote their works internationally.