17/02/2009

The European Commission is continuing its MEDIA International preparatory action, launched last year, by publishing a new Call for Proposals aimed at encouraging co-operation in the audiovisual sector between European Union member states and third countries (i.e. non-MEDIA countries). With a €4.96m budget, this initiative has three objectives: reinforcing the exchange of information and knowledge about audiovisual markets; improving the competitiveness and distribution of works from third countries within European markets, and vice versa; and increasing the circulation and audience of these works.

In this perspective, five categories of activity (numbered as "lots") may receive MEDIA support:

Lot no.1 - Training of audiovisual professionals: Support will be given either for opening up MEDIA-funded training schemes to students, professionals and teachers from third countries, or for creating continuous training initiatives specific to MEDIA International;

Lot no.2 - Promotion of film and audiovisual works: Support will be granted to initiatives before or during production that are aimed at enabling works to gain access to international markets. This could be a co-production market, a pitching session, professional meetings and other projects;

Lot no.3 - Distribution of cinematic works: Support will be given to initiatives that increase the level of offers and promotional conditions in the EU for works from third countries, and vice versa (lasting cooperation between professionals, better use of new technologies, etc);

Lot no.4 - Screening of cinematic works in theatres: Movie theatre exhibitors in the EU and third countries will be encouraged to mutually increase their programming; and the emergence and strengthening of international networks of theatres will be promoted;

Lot no.5 - Audience: Financial backing will be given to initiatives that are likely to increase the potential audience of foreign works on a long-term basis. For example, film education initiatives will be supported in this lot.

Eligible requests are from groups whose coordinator originates from an EU country and which includes at least one organisation whose headquarters is based in a third country (with the exception of option 1 of lot no.1 and lot no.4).

Depending on the nature of the activity, EU community support (in the form of a grant) could cover 50%, 75% or 80% of the costs.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is June 2, 2009.