EU funding for the MEDIA Programme

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on September 2nd, two new Calls for Proposals with a total budget of 19,5 million Euro for the implementation of a programme of support for the European audiovisual sector (MEDIA 2007).

Both Calls for Proposals are aimed at companies whose activities contribute to the attainment of two of the objectives of the Programme MEDIA 2007, which are to support the development of production projects in fiction, creative documentaries and animation, and the support for the development of on and offline interactive works.

The works within the call for the development of on and offline interactive works which will be considered eligible actions include:

  • Interactive works for computer, internet, mobile phone, games console including handheld presenting a substantial degree of interactivity, scenario and innovation.
  • New format concepts destined for digital television, the internet or mobile handsets where interactivity and narrative elements are significant.

The total budget available for this calls is EUR 2,5 million, considered as a subsidy. The maximum financial contribution which may be awarded is between EUR 10.000 and EUR 60.000 except for the development of prototypes for games consoles, handheld consoles and computers for which the maximum grant is EUR 100.000. The financial contribution awarded will in no event exceed 50 % of the eligible costs submitted by the producer (60 % for projects presenting an interest in promoting European cultural diversity).

In all cases the projects must be intended for commercial exploitation.

In the case of the call for the development of production projects in fiction, creative documentaries and animation, the development of activities for the following audiovisual works (one-offs or series) will be eligible:

  • Drama projects intended for commercial exploitation of no less than 50 minutes.
  • Creative documentaries intended for commercial exploitation of no less than 25 minutes (duration per episode in case of series).
  • Animation projects intended for commercial exploitation of no less than 24 minutes.

Those activities can be performed as a Single Projects or within Slate Funding and Slate Funding 2nd Stage, like for a package of productions.

This call has a total budget of EUR 17 million, and considered as a subsidy. The maximum financial contribution which may be awarded for Single Project is between EUR 10.000 and EUR 60.000 except for feature-length animations for theatrical release, for which the maximum is EUR 80.000. The financial contribution awarded will in no event exceed 50 % of the eligible costs submitted by the producer (60 % for projects presenting an interest in promoting European cultural diversity).

In the case of Slate Funding and Slate Funding 2nd stage, the maximum financial contribution which may be awarded is between EUR 70.000 and EUR 190.000. The financial contribution awarded will in no event exceed 50 % of the eligible costs submitted by the producer.

Deadline for submission of applications

Both Calls for Proposals have two deadlines. To be included in the first deadline, the applications must be sent to the Agency before November 17th 2008, and to be included in the second deadline, applications must be submitted between November 18th 2008 and April 17th 2009.

In any case, al the applications must be sent to the following address, taking into account that applications sent by fax of e-mail will be rejected.

Executive Agency Education, Audiovisual and Culture (EACEA) — MEDIA
Constantin Daskalakis
BOUR 3/30
Avenue du Bourget 1
B-1140 Bruxelles

The Guidelines as well as application forms for these Calls can be downloaded in the MEDIA Programme website.