PRAGUE: The international script and development programme MIDPOINT has opened the call for applications to its 2019 Feature Launch and TV Launch workshops.

Documentary director Kim Longinotto discusses her approach to filmmaking.

WARSAW: Pitbull. The Last Dog is closing in on 5 M EUR in its domestic release in Poland, after seven weeks. The film rose one place in the weekly rankings, coming in at number 7, despite showing a 27 percent decline in box office.

WARSAW: FNE has teamed up with the Brussels based team of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) to bring you regular updates on EU cinema policies that impact all industry professionals across Europe. Click here for FNE UNIC EU Cinema Policy Update.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive 

30/04: UNIC Statement on the Audiovisual Media Services Directive – UNIC

The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European trade grouping representing cinema exhibitors and their national associations in 37 territories across the EU and beyond, welcomes the preliminary political agreement on the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

27/04: AVMSD: EFADs welcome an ambitious and positive step forward for the diversity of European cultures - EFADs

In particular, EFADs strongly appreciate the obligation for on-demand services to secure at least a 30% share of European works in their catalogues and ensure prominence of these works.

27/04: SAA welcomes the reformed Audiovisual Media Services Directive: promoting and investing in European audiovisual works – SAA

The Society of Audiovisual Authors welcomes the agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission on the reform of EU rules governing audiovisual media services. It thanks policy makers for their willingness to lay down new rules to adapt the European framework to the emergence of digital platforms.

26/04: Audiovisual media: Agreement reached on new media services directive – European Parliament

EP negotiators and the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU agreed on substantial rules for audiovisual media services, including digital platforms.

26/04: Audiovisual media services: breakthrough in EU negotiations for modern and fairer rules – European Commission

The European Parliament, Council and Commission have reached a preliminary political agreement on the main elements of revised rules to apply to audiovisual media across Europe.

Copyright Enforcements

13/04: Creativity Works! letter regarding EU Copyright Directive – Creativity Works!

Creativity Works! calls on Member States to refrain from restricting rightholders’ exclusive rights in favour of certain online platforms; discussions on Copyright Directive must continue to resolve fundamental issues

EU Budget

03/05: EU budget post-2020: Commission praised for alternative sources of income – The Parliament Magazine

Most MEPs have welcomed a Commission plan to raise national contributions to 1.11 per cent of gross national income and introduce new sources of revenue for the next long-term EU budget.

Creative Europe Media

/05: MEDIA events at the 71st Cannes Film Festival – European Commission

This year in Cannes, the EU's Creative Europe MEDIA organises a series of debates and showcases from Thursday 10 May until Wednesday 16 May, on various topics such as collaboration strategies to increase audiences, financing, co-production, distribution and talent development.

Recent studies

EU OMC - The role of public policies in developing entrepreneurial and innovation potential of the cultural and creative sectors - April 2018EUIPO - Test Case: Legal Online Offers of Film - April 2018

Events

12 May: European Audiovisual Observatory Conference - Cannes 12 May: UNIC Cocktail - Cannes 13 May: Europa Cinemas Conference - Cannes 14 May: European Film Forum - Cannes 15 May: Creative Europe MEDIA Stakeholders' Meeting - Cannes 15 May: UNIC Meeting - Cannes20-21 June: European Parliament Vote - Copyright Directive 

SOFIA: Veselka Kiryakova represents Bulgaria at the European Film Promotion’s 2018 Producers on the Move event taking place 10-14 May during the Cannes Film Festival.

CANNES: European Film Promotion is gearing up to introduce 20 European producers at its 2018 edition of Producers on the Move, taking place 10-14 May at the Cannes Film Festival.

CANNES: Eleven scripts have been selected for the 2018 edition of ScripTeast, the script development and competition programme taking place 10 – 16 May 2018 in Cannes.