EUROPEAN UNION'S EUROMED AUDIOVISUAL II PROGRAMME (2006-2008) TO SUPPORT THE DISTRIBUTION, EXHIBITION AND PROMOTION OF MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPEAN FILMS

Two new contracts involving Europa Cinemas were signed with the European Commission, as part of the Euromed Audiovisual II programme.

The first contract deals with support for the distribution and exhibition of Mediterranean and European films in MEDA countries and of Mediterranean films in the 25 countries of the European Union.

A consortium managed by the Moroccan Cinema Centre (CCM) and Europa Cinemas implements this first activity.

Distribution and exhibition companies active in European territories and the MEDA region are the beneficiaries of this programme. They receive support to put films onto the market and to schedule Mediterranean and European films.

Website: http://www.euromed-cinemas.org/

The second agreement aims to promote films from arab countries of the MEDA region. This activity concerns the previously mentioned territories and is implemented by a consortium comprising four organisations: Beirut DC (leader), Europa Cinemas, Ankara Sinema Dernegi and Associazione Italiana Amici Cinema d'Essai.

The main promotion activities are:

- The organisation of 'Arab Film Weeks' in cinemas in the North and South. Countries considered difficult for films from the South are given priority.
- Support for beneficiaries of Arab films of the Mediterranean basin to allow them a presence at film markets, particularly those of Cannes and Berlin.
- The creation of a website devoted to films by Arab partners in the Mediterranean basin.
- Support for the promotion of Arab Mediterranean films released on DVD.
- The production and distribution of making-ofs about Arab films of the MEDA region.

Website: http://www.med-screen.com/

These two support programmes were launched in early 2006, and will last for 3 years.

Information: Menem Richa, Aude Erenberk



Europa Cinemas in Euromed Audiovisual I (2000-2004)

Within the framework of the Euromed Audiovisual programme of the European Union which associated the 27 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, Europa Cinemas supplied financial support for theatrical exhibition, distribution and promotion of European and Mediterranean films.

This activity aimed at enhancing the circulation of European and Mediterranean productions by giving them access to the screens in the 27 countries.

In the Mediterranean, Europa Cinemas supported 41 theatres in 9 countries totalizing 73 screens that programmed regularly European and Mediterranean films. 35 distribution companies benefited from a support for releasing 127 films, which were attended by more than 2.8 Millions viewers. This support took the shape of a 50% co-investment that allowed distributors to increase the number of prints released, subtitle these prints if needed, and improve notably their promotional budget.

Festivals play an important role in this process because they open the market to first run films which are exposed, in an exciting way, not only to professionals and critics but also to the public who will discover them at the event. Support to Festivals was provided to 18 events in 6 Mediterranean countries, and completed support provided to exhibition and distribution companies.

At the same time, over 160 European theatres member of the Europa Cinemas' network were supported since 2000 for programming Mediterranean films.

This activity helped exhibitors and distributors from Southern Mediterranean to commit themselves along with their European colleagues, in a same network, in favor of their Cinema and diversity on screens.