The European Commission has selected 35 film-related projects to receive a total of €5 million in funding from the MEDIA Mundus programme. The Commission expects that the projects will contribute to strengthen the distribution of European films in non-European markets and vice-versa.

35 film-related projects have been selected by the European Commission to receive financial support from the MEDIA Mundus - the European Union's international cooperation and exchange programme for the audiovisual industry programme, through the latest call for proposals opened with this aim. The Commission expects that these projects will help to encourage international co-productions, boosts worldwide distribution and makes the audiovisual industry more competitive. Its intention is to give audiences more choice and the chance to see films made all over the world.

Among the projects selected, there is for example the "IPEDA MUNDUS", a project that facilitates the release of European films on prominent internet video platforms in the US and Canada. It also helps North American film-makers to access European counterparts. "EYE ON FILMS", also selected, is a global network of distributors and festivals which distribute debut feature films in more than 20 countries.

The MEDIA Mundus programme has a budget of €15 million over 3 years (2011-13) and funds projects encouraging mobility and exchanges between European film-makers and their counterparts around the world. The European Commission has foreseen to continue this programme on the proposed Creative Europe programme, due to start in 2014, envisages allocating more than €900 million for MEDIA and MEDIA Mundus activities.