01-09-2013

FNE at SOFA: First look at Creative Europe

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    WROCLAW: First details of how the new EU programme will work were outlined to a panel of European film professionals by Susanne Ding, a European Commission offical for Creative Europe.

     

    According to Ding, 56% of the already announced 1.462 bln EUR budget will be put into support of film, television and computer in particular for training, development and distribution, while 30% of the budget will finance cultural cooperation for culture sectors such as theaters, museums and other venues. “A significant buzz word for the new programme is “audience development” and we will especially focus on supporting projects that can help bring more people to the cinemas. In addition, we will be looking for interesting cross-sector initiatives and there is a budget of almost 184m EUR dedicated to a so calles cross-sectoral strand including a new guarantee fund” said Ding during her presentation.

    Reinforced solutions implemented in the Creative Europe programme include a focus on long-term projects lasting from 2 to 4 years and the possibility of “slate” funding not only of projects, but also companies. “This will allow the program to allow more sustainable support to film professionals who are passionate in developing new and interesting projects” commented Ding.

    Apart from significant support for film distribution, one of the main aims in the new programme is to develop cross-country programmes that would enhance film literacy. “A priority status will be given to film events and festivals that screen at least 70% European and 50% non-national films, and that improve audience interaction” said Ding. She underlined the importance of unconventional events furthering audience development, such as “secret screenings” or programmes allowing social interaction between the cinema goers.

    The first details presented in Wrocław are a foretaste of the proposal for Creative Europe guidelines that will be presented to member states in October and after debates and a ratification period the EU will open a call for projects end of the year with an official launch of the program planned for January 2014.