The European film and audiovisual sector has voiced strong opposition to proposed cuts to AgoraEU, the EU’s future programme for culture, media and democracy, after the Irish Presidency’s negotiating box for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) reduced its proposed budget by 30%. Two open letters, representing 16 cinema and audiovisual organisations and 51 short film festivals and industry bodies respectively, call on EU Member States to reject the cuts and maintain the European Commission’s proposed allocation of approximately €8.6 billion, warning that the reduction would undermine independent production, cultural diversity and cross-border cooperation.

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Under the Irish Presidency’s proposal, the budget of AgoraEU would fall to €6 billion in current prices, compared with the €8.58 billion proposed by the Commission. This represents a significantly steeper reduction than the approximately 8% cut envisaged for the overall EU budget. AgoraEU was set to bring together the Culture and MEDIA strands of Creative Europe with the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, whilst also supporting a broader range of activities linked to democracy and independent media.

Among the 16 organisations representing the European cinema and audiovisual sectors which signed the joint statement are prominent bodies such as the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), the Federation of European Screen Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE), the European Producers Club (EPC) and Europa International, which represents European film sales agents. The signatories also include the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (CICAE), Europa Distribution, the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) and the European Audiovisual Production Association (CEPI).

The organisations argue that the proposed allocation would fail to account for inflation and the programme’s expanded responsibilities. They estimate that approximately €600 million would be needed simply to offset accumulated and projected inflation affecting the existing MEDIA strand over the relevant period. This would absorb most of the apparent increase over the combined budgets of the existing programmes, leaving insufficient resources to maintain their purchasing power while supporting additional objectives.

The signatories are calling for a dedicated film and audiovisual MEDIA strand with a budget of at least €3.5 billion for 2028–2034. They argue that predictable funding is essential to sustaining European independent production, enabling works to circulate across borders and strengthening the sector’s international competitiveness as it navigates the digital and environmental transitions. They also contend that the proposed cuts conflict with the Council’s own conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding European values and democratic resilience, adopted in November 2025.

The concerns have also been echoed by the Short Film Coalition, an alliance of 16 organisations working across short film festivals, training initiatives, markets and industry networks. Its founding members include the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the European Network for Film Discourse (END), the European Short Film Network (ESFN), the Short Film Conference, AG Kurzfilm – German Short Film Association and CineSud. A further 35 organisations had signed the coalition’s letter by 16 October, bringing the total number of listed signatories to 51.

Among the additional signatories are major European festivals and industry platforms such as CPH, IDFA, DOK Leipzig, the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the Uppsala Short Film Festival, the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, CEE Animation and When East Meets West. The coalition warns that a substantial reduction in funding would disproportionately affect smaller and independent organisations, while deepening geographical inequalities in access to training, production opportunities and international markets.

The coalition highlights the role of short films in talent development, film education, audience engagement and the promotion of diverse perspectives, particularly among children and young people. It argues that festivals, professional development programmes and cross-border networks are essential to ensuring that filmmakers from different backgrounds and regions can participate in Europe’s cultural life. The signatories are therefore urging Member States to retain at least the Commission’s proposed €8.6 billion allocation and establish AgoraEU as a stable, accessible funding framework for cultural and audiovisual organisations, independent media and the civil society.

Negotiations on the 2028–2034 MFF will determine the resources available to AgoraEU and its constituent strands over the next seven years. For the European film and audiovisual sector, the outcome will have direct implications for production, distribution, training, festivals and the networks connecting independent organisations across the continent.