08/09/2008

Public funding strategies for film set against the challenges of globalisation and the expansion of digital technology will be the key subject for discussion at the European Council Forum, to be held in Krakow from September 11-13. Entitled "Shaping Policies for the Cinema of Tomorrow", the event initiated by the Council of Europe is organised by the Polish Film Institute (PISF), in collaboration with the Polish Culture Ministry and the city of Krakow.

Guests at the forum will include experts on film policy, figures from the film world and important decision-makers from across Europe, will tackle issues such as the role of film policy in promoting and protecting the diversity of cultural expression under threat in the era of globalisation (this is one of the objectives fixed by the UNESCO Convention on diversity).

The programme of conferences includes subjects related to the artisti as well as production and policy aspects of "tomorrow’s filmmaking", in order to recall that film is not merely an industry but also constitutes an artistic field. In this vein, the debate on the role of film as a source of inspiration and stimulation for social discussions promises to be interesting. Moreover, experts will also analyse the role of criticism in film promotion and media culture studies.

The conclusions and recommendations to emerge from the debates will form the basis for postulates for changes to national and European film policies. A detailed programme for the forum is available on the website of the PISGF and the Council of Europe.

(Translated from French)