The Commission is currently exploring the benefits of adding to the EU's MEDIA programme – created in 1991 to promote the development and the distribution of European films across borders – a new MEDIA MUNDUS programme to strengthen cultural and commercial relations between Europe's film industry and film-makers of third countries.

MEDIA MUNDUS programme would follow the model of the student exchange programme ERASMUS MUNDUS that had been added in 2001 to the already existing ERASMUS programme in order to make an exchange between European universities and universities in third countries possible. A public-online consultation on the main features and priorities of a possible MEDIA MUNDUS programme is open until 15th June 2008 and a public hearing will be held in Brussels on 25th June.

Already in December 2007, the Commission, with the support of the European Parliament and the Council of Culture Ministers, launched the preparatory action "MEDIA International." With a budget of €2 million in 2008, "MEDIA International" aims to strengthen exchanges between audiovisual professionals in the EU and third countries sharing the same priority for cultural diversity. It will run for up to three years and test ways of facilitating deals and widening networks between EU and third countries' professionals, to a mutual benefit. Actions supported in 2008 include:

• Continuous joint training (to be extended to film schools cooperation in the next years).
• Joint promotional campaigns for the commercial distribution of cinematographic works.
• Support of projects between cinema networks – all of which will encourage film-goers in third countries to enjoy watching more European films in their own cinemas and vice-versa.

The public consultation now launched by the Commission on a possible MEDIA MUNDUS programme seeks feedback from stakeholders on the idea of complementing the MEDIA programme for the promotion, development and distribution of European films (annual budget: around €100 million) with a new international programme. Stakeholders are consulted on specific issues such as:
Conclusion of agreements between distributors/exporters/rights-holders of EU and third countries (notably via events, for example co-production markets), to promote the exclusive first release of their respective films on the territory/territories of their partner(s).
Screening of European and third-country films in respective cinema networks and ways to raise public awareness about the release of films from European and third countries covered by mutual distribution agreements. Organisation of joint training sessions between European and third countries film training facilities.

On the basis of the contributions received from the public debate, the Commission will decide before the end of 2008 about a proposal for a possible MEDIA MUNDUS programme. This idea has already found strong support among the Culture ministers participating in Europe Day 2008 at the Cannes Film Festival on 19th May. Ultimately, the programme could help audiovisual professionals from Europe and equivalent film makers outside the EU to reciprocally improve their competitiveness by better exploiting the potential for joint projects such as the development, distribution and promotion of audiovisual works.