"Cinema, Europe, the World: towards a policy for cinematographic cooperation in the EU?"
- from: 07.07.2008
- to: 08.07.2008
- In: Paris, Cinémathèque française
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". The consultation process launched by the European Commission was concluded with a hearing on 25 June 2008 in Brussels. This symposium aims to complement that consultation process.
Bringing together film professionals and experts, and representatives from European institutions and third countries, the purpose of this symposium, coordinated by the CNC (Centre National de la Cinématographie), is to develop a broad outline for future EU cooperation initiatives in film training, production, distribution and commercialisation.
This is all the more timely given that some regional cooperation programmes, such as the MEDIA and Euromed Audiovisual programmes, are due to end in December 2008.
-With regard to training, with a focus on supporting the development of cinematographic diversity drawing on the experiences gained from initiatives of the MEDIA and Euromed Audiovisual programme and within the Member States, the most effective measures and those regions or countries most in need of support must be identified.
With regard to production, past experience from bilateral co-production agreements and international funding programmes from the Member States, should be drawn upon to better define how coproduction between continents can be encouraged to promote cinematographic diversity.
Lastly, the means of distribution and commercialisation of films remains a major challenge for the diversity of cultural expression, which can only be fully realised if the films can reach audiences.
Overview of the Preparatory Action MEDIA International (EN)
Public Consultation Audiovisual Cooperation Programme "MEDIA MUNDUS" '(EN)
- Updated: 23.12.2008
