Co-operation with the East
Around 120 experts from Austria, Germany and other EU countries have taken part in a two-part conference held at the Chamber of Commerce in Vienna to discuss “The Widening of the Cinematographic Industry – The Challenges and Opportunities posed by the EU Enlargement to the East”. The event, which was held yesterday, was organised by Film20.
In his opening speech, Professor Peter A. Mayer, the president of the AAFP (the Association of Austrian Film Producers), stressed how international co-operation with Eastern European countries, and especially German speaking regions, had developed over the years. However he noted that even though the competition was now tougher, there were more possibilities for development: “Both side now have to clarify their needs and wishes. We ask for analysis and objectivity to be the watchwords, to create a solid foundation”.
Reinhold Mitterlehner, the secretary general of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce stated that “Alongside the political activities in Brussels, we need to have a national plan for the development of the film industry. We need to move forward and create the conditions to enable us to make the most of the industry’s potential”.
One of the main discussion points concerned the setting up of alliances with countries like the Balkan states, Cyprus and Malta, and with stable partners like Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the new EU candidates, Romania and Bulgaria.
The second part of the conference will be taking place on October 20 and 21 in Berlin. For information and application forms email info@film20.de
(Translated from Italian)
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