The European Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Union on September 11th, a Call for Proposals concerning the implementation of the MEDIA 2007 programme of support for the European audiovisual sector MEDIA 2007. The Call, funded with 3,5 M€, aims to support audiovisual festivals.

The Call for Proposals is addressed to European organisations registered in and controlled by nationals from the Member States of the European Union as well as countries of the European Economic Agreement participating in the MEDIA 2007 Programme (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), Switzerland and Croatia.

The objectives of the actions to be put in place by those organisations to promote audiovisual festivals include:
 

• Facilitating and encouraging the promotion and movement of European audiovisual and cinema works at trade shows, fairs and audiovisual festivals in Europe and around the globe, insofar as such events may play an important role in the promotion of European works and the networking of professionals.
• Improving access to European audiovisual works for the European and international public.

Those organisations must implement audiovisual festivals which contribute to the afore mentioned objectives and which screen a minimum of 70 % European films from at least 10 States participating in the MEDIA Programme, in their total programme.

Only those projects starting between May 1st, 2009 and April 30th, 2010 will be eligible for the Call for Proposals for Measures to support promotion and market access in audiovisual festivals.

Budget

The maximum amount available under this call for proposals is EUR 3 500 000 (providing the EU budget for 2009 is approved).

The financial support from the Commission cannot exceed 50 % of the total eligible costs, and the maximum grant will be EUR 75 000.

Applicants will have to opt for a one-year agreement or a four-year framework partnership
agreement.

Deadline

Closing dates for submitting proposals are:

• October 31st, 2008, for projects starting between 1 May 2009 and 31 October 2009.
• April 30th, 2009, for projects starting between 1 November 2009 and 30 April 2010.

Applications must be submitted to the Executive Agency (EACEA) to the following address:

Agence Exécutive Éducation Audiovisuel et Culture (EACEA)
Unité Programme MEDIA — P8
Appel de propositions — EACEA/18/08 — Festivals audiovisuels
M. Constantin DASKALAKIS
BOUR 03/30
Avenue du Bourget 1
B-1140 Bruxelles

The guidelines, as well as the application forms are available on the MEDIA Programme website.