Support for film festivals
The European Commission, DG X, has issued a call for proposals to help projects on the European dimension at film festivals. As part of its audiovisual policy, the Commission promotes European audiovisual programmes and supports their distribution in order to raise public awareness of Europe's rich cultural heritage. The Commission intends to provide financial support for high-quality audiovisual events in 1995, provided the budget authority makes the necessary funds available under the European Union's general budget for the year. The applications sought under this call for proposals should concern events of an innovative or model nature which fall into one of the following two categories: - Action 1: Film festivals (short films or feature films) and audiovisual programme festivals (documentaries or fiction). In this category, consideration will be given to the following: . Events where European works from at least three Member States of the European Union account for at least two thirds of the films/programmes presented (one of the selection criteria will be the presentation of films/programmes enjoying support under the MEDIA programme or the Council of Europe Eurimage Fund); . Events which help promote films/programmes from Member States or regions with a low audiovisual production capacity and films/programmes made by young European directors. The concept of "European works" refers to the definition set out in Article 6 of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities. Special consideration will be given to festivals being held in non-urban locations or remote regions. One factor influencing the assessment of applications will be the extent of cooperation with festivals being held in other Member States. Furthermore, in 1995, priority will be given to events devoted mainly to spotlighting the heritage of the European film industry (in the context of the "Centenary of the Cinema"). - Action 2: Meetings on specific themes between professionals in the audiovisual industry, with particular reference to the cultural and economic aspects of developing the European audiovisual industry, and artistic works in particular. Priority will be given to the activities involving the largest number of components of the European audiovisual industry. The following are not eligible: . Events or activities which are not mainly concerned with artistic works; . Events or activities related to training; . Events or activities of a profit-making nature; . Projects already financed from other Commission sources; . Investment-financing or operating costs of applicant organizations. The Commission wishes to encourage events which give priority to expenditure on high-quality films/programmes rather than to expenditure on prestige projects. The contribution made by the Commission will never exceed 25% of the total costs of the project considered. In 1994 this contribution averaged about ECU 15,000. The organizers of the events selected must submit to the Commission a report on the event and a financial report. The Commission and the European Court of Auditors reserve the right to check on the use made of Community funds. Completed tenders should be sent to: European Commission DG X/C-3 Mr. P. Cova 200 rue de la Loi (TR 120 3/16) B-1049 Brussels