07/06/2007 - Organised by Greek presidency of the EU The Conference on the Future of European Cinema and the Audiovisual Sector Within the Framework of European Union Enlargement took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, in May 2003. Representatives of the EU Commission and renowned European filmmakers, discussed a new legal framework for the audiovisual sector as well as preservation of cultural identity and film education.

The "Future of European cinema and the Audiovisual sector following Enlargement" has been discussed in Thessaloniki. Those attending the event included Evangelos Venizelos and Viviane Reding.

The conference on “The future of European cinema and of the audiovisual sector following enlargement” was held in Thessaloniki on 25, 26 and 27 May, within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the European Union. Professor Evangelos Venizelos, president of the Council of EU Ministers of Culture, the ministers of EU member-states, EU Culture and Education Commissioner Viviane Reding, representatives of the European Commission, representatives of EU member-states, well-known European filmmakers, the presidents of film organizations and Greek professional unions as well as various experts from 36 countries participated in the conference.
The preservation of cultural identity and the showcasing of European film and audiovisual creation as factors in the shaping of the European identity constituted the focal point of the concern that was voiced during the three days of the conference. In this context and in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 151 regarding the need to include the cultural dimension in the EU decision making process, the shaping of a common European film and audiovisual cultural policy adapted to the needs of an enlarged European can contribute to the preservation of the collective historical memory and the showcasing and exploitation of cultural identity.
The importance of audiovisual creation is obvious and self-evident in the culture of the 20th century. This realization must be borne in mind by the educational systems of the European countries. School is the only place that is located outside the laws of the market. Through it our culture is reproduced and developed and it can contribute substantially to knowledge, the cultivation of the mind and the acquisition of taste. It can provide a counterbalance to the one-sidedness of the proposed audiovisual products the majority of which are American. The educational system must adopt the audiovisual heritage (the national as well as the international) exactly in the same way as it does literature and to undertake to save and disseminate it while at the same time giving children the possibility of getting to know cinema or making films, in accordance with the Greek educational program. The educational system must create viewers who are much more mature and educated, citizen-viewers who have not been deprived of the right to pluralistic knowledge and the unhindered development of their cultural identity.
The restricted circulation of European films and the limited access the European viewer in reality has to his own films estranges him from the culture of his neighbors. European audiovisual policy has still not come up with an effective response to the domination of American products. Policy in this area must become far more decisive. It must preserve and reinforce existing successful mechanisms such as the Europa Cinemas of the Media Plus program but coordinated and supplementary action must also be undertaken. Since the problem cannot be faced solely and exclusively by the institutional support mechanisms, the creation of broader European networks should be sought by providing incentives to private entrepreneurs on the condition that they distribute European films in at least six countries. Existing support mechanisms should also be strengthened and new ones should be created on a European and regional level to back the films of the new countries that are about to be created in order to better develop their production projects at every stage - from script to distribution.
The development of a productive exchange of ideas and concerns as well as the need that was expressed to take practical measures led to the unanimous approval of the proposal made by the President in-office of the Council of EU Ministers of Culture Professor Evangelos Venizelos who announced a meeting of the Film Centers of the 25 countries during the Hellenic Presidency with the participation of one preferably state television network and one commercial bank from each country with the aim of examining the possibilities of cooperation in the production and distribution of European films.

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