This symposium, organised by the CNC (Centre National de la Cinématographie), aims to provide food for thought on cinematographic cooperation with other countries and regions around the world. The event is being hold on the 7 and 8th July in the French Cinémathèque.

By ratifying the Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the European community has confirmed its intent to make cultural diversity a priority and ensure that culture is an essential element in its relations with other countries and regions of the world.

The cultural diversity of European cinema is a key driver of creativity and a major asset for the European Union, the films of which shine in international festivals. Cultural diversity of this type must be promoted outside the European Union, in conjunction with partner countries in other regions of the world.

Since the entry into force of the Unesco Convention, the European Union has been working on measures to establish and develop specific ways of cooperating with third countries in the field of cinematography.

In 2008, for the first time and on an experimental basis, the European Commission drew up a draft policy on supporting cinematographic cooperation which brings together professionals from the EU and third countries. The name of the preparatory action for the programme is "MEDIA International", though the name for the actual programme will be "MEDIA Mundus". This call for proposals is funded in the framework of current Media Programme.