EC supports the transnational distribution of European films

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union on September 29th, 2008, a Call for Proposals to support the transnational distribution of European films by Agents for the international sale of European cinema films, based on the decision of the European Parliament and of the Council  establishing a single pluriannual programme for Community actions in the audiovisual field for the period 2007-2013.

The Call for Proposals EACEA/13/08 for the transnational distribution of European films is addressed at European companies specialising in the international sale of European cinema films. It encourages the circulation of European audiovisual works among the different countries participating in the MEDIA 2007 Programme.

The support system operates in two phases:

  1. The generation of potential funds determined according to the performance of the company on the European market over a given period.
  2. Reinvestment: the selling agents may use the potential funds generated only to invest:
  • In the acquisition of rights for international sale, for example by means of guaranteed minimum cover or advances, of non-national European films, and/or
  • In the selling, promotion and advertising costs for new non-national European films.

The duration of the projects and the period of eligibility of the costs may not exceed 16 months.

Budget and award criteria

The maximum budget available under this call for proposals is 1 M€, subject to the availability of funds for the 2009 financial year. The financial aid may not exceed 60 % of the total eligible costs.

Potential support will be calculated for the eligible European selling agents on the basis of their performance on the European market (i.e. countries participating in the MEDIA 2007 programme). The support shall take the form of a potential credit (‘the potential support’) available to the selling agents for reinvestment in new non-national European films.

Applications may be submitted until November 15th, 2008, and must be sent to:

‘Education, Audiovisual and Culture’ Executive Agency
MEDIA Programme
Call for proposals — EACEA/13/08
FAO: Mr Constantin Daskalakis
BOUR 03/30
Avenue du Bourget 1
B-1040 Brussels

Further information about this Calls for Proposals can be found in the MEDIA Programme website.