Kim Keukeleire, Andy Gent, Tobias Fouracre, Malcolm Hadley. The world-renowned artists working in Oscar-winning productions will be guests of this year's 5th ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum, during which they will lead the workshops on animating, art of cinematography and puppet building.

The workshops, addressed to students and aspiring artists, are a traditional part of the Masters section during the ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum. The organisers of the event, with the main goal of integrating the animation industry, prepare an extensive educational section every year. – The workshops are free of charge, but there are several conditions for recruitment – says Paulina Zacharek, organiser of the ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum. – Classes conducted in small groups are a great opportunity to gain knowledge from recognised animation creators and acquire new skills. The direct exchange of experience and the possibility of professional development is a great advantage of our event – she adds. The enrolment has just started.

Playing with the light? Visual concept of the 24th Ji.hlava unveiled

The visual design for the twenty-fourth festival edition was a challenge. We don’t want to pretend that this year’s edition will be the same as the previous ones. The contrast of black and white, the concept of black and deeper black creates ambiguous metaphoric environment. “You can easily imagine: / Full moon, / Vinyl record hole, / Light at the end of the tunnel“ writes the visual artist Juraj Horváth in his poem that traditionally accompanies his festival design.

East West Index: Results of an exclusive documentary festival survey

Which regions are underrepresented in the programming of film festivals and why? This was the main focus of a debate organised by the Ji.hlava IDFF at the Marché du Film. Several hundred film professionals watched an online live stream, the recording of which you can now watch here. You can also check out the interesting results of the East-West Index survey, recently conducted at 11 festivals across the globe. This initiative seems to have opened an important discussion, and we would be curious to hear your feedback and inputs here.

On site, in person and on the big screen: goEast 2020 presents postponed festivalOn site, in person and on the big screen: goEast 2020 presents postponed festivalsections at DFF cinema in Frankfurt // “Film Heritage in Transition” Symposium shedslight on a turbulent era with gripping imagery from 24 to 27 July 2020 // goEastPORTRAIT of Radu Jude brings the Romanian director’s oeuvre to the cinema screen

EU Summit – Recovery plan & Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-27

15/07: "A deal is essential. Now is the time" - Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their meeting on 17-18 July 2020 – Council of the EU

20/07: Special European Council: “There is much goodwill.” – EU2020DE

The Special European Council has once again been extended, with EU heads of state and government continuing their talks in Brussels on Monday. The focus remains on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the recovery fund to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 - Creative & cultural sectors

17/07: Open letter: A call to invest in all our creative futures - UNIC website

On 14 July, an open letter from by 45 European celebrated cultural figures was published ahead of the crucial EU leaders' meeting on the EU budget and recovery plan taking place from 18-18 July.

EU Summer 2020 Economic Forecast

07/07: Summer 2020 Economic Forecast: An even deeper recession with wider divergences – European Commission

The EU economy will experience a deep recession this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, despite the swift and comprehensive policy response at both EU and national levels. Because the lifting of lockdown measures is proceeding at a more gradual pace than assumed in our Spring Forecast, the impact on economic activity in 2020 will be more significant than anticipated.

Taxation

15/07: Fair and Simple Taxation: Commission proposes new package of measures to contribute to Europe's recovery and growth – European Commission

The European Commission has adopted an ambitious new Tax Package to ensure that EU tax policy supports Europe's economic recovery and long-term growth. The Package is built on the twin pillars of fairness and simplicity. Fair taxation remains a top priority for the European Commission, as a means of protecting public revenues, which will play an important role for the EU's economic recovery in the short-run and prosperity in the long-run.

15/07: The General Court of the European Union annuls the decision taken by the Commission regarding the Irish tax rulings in favour of Apple - CJEU

EU Platform to Business Regulation

10/07: New EU rules and guidance for a fairer online economy – European Commission

The Commission publishes a set of resources to help traders, online platforms and search engines get the most out of the new Platform to Business rules, which apply from this Sunday, 12 July. In addition, three progress reports prepared by the expert group for the Observatory on the Online Platform Economy are published for feedback. The reports will inform the broader work of the Commission on online platforms and in particular on the upcoming Digital Services Act package.

EU State Aid decisionsEU State Aid decisions

08/07: State aid: Commission approves German fund to enable up to €500 billion of liquidity and capital support to enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
08/07: State aid: Commission approves €6.2 billion Italian grants scheme to support small businesses and self-employed affected by coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
06/07: State aid: Commission approves Latvian fund to enable €100 million of liquidity and capital support to large enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak – European Commission

Events

17-20 July: EU Council Summit (EXTENDED)8 September: Digital Services Act consultation deadline