Media II: Development and distribution of European audiovisual works
The Council of the European Union had published its decision on the adoption of a programme encouraging the development and distribution of European audiovisual works (MEDIA II - Development and distribution). The programme, which covers the period 1996-2000, will run in parallel to a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA II - Training). Under the MEDIA II (Development and distribution) programme, attention is paid to the need for action both before and after production. It is also intended to foster an environment which helps SMEs to develop initiatives and which encourages cooperation between distributors/broadcasters and producers, to ensure the growth of a more independent production and distribution sector. Particular attention will be paid to supporting the development of European cinematographic products which have true distribution potential and improving their circulation prospects on the European market, by encouraging cooperation between distributors, cinema owners and producers. More emphasis will be placed on ensuring respect for European linguistic and cultural diversity and on developing potential in countries or regions which have a low capacity for audiovisual production and/or a restricted geographical and linguistic area. As regards development/pre-production of drama, documentaries and animation, the programme will aim to improve company initiatives and development and to encourage networking between them. In this context, it will promote the development of: - Production projects which enhance the audiovisual heritage and which are targeted in particular at the European market; - Production projects which enhance the audiovisual heritage and which make use of new creation and animation techniques. As regards video and cinema distribution and television broadcasting, the programme will aim to: - Strengthen the European cinema and video distribution sector by favouring the networking of European distributors and encouraging them to invest in the production of European cinema films; - Favour wider transnational distribution of European films through promotional measures and encouraging networking among operators; - Promote the circulation inside and outside the European Union of European television programmes which appeal to a European and world audience and encourage independent European producers and broadcasters to cooperate in their production; - Promote linguistic diversity of audiovisual and cinema works; - Facilitate the promotion of independent European production and its access to the market, by implementing promotional services and actions. Beneficiaries will have to provide a significant proportion of the funding. Community funding may take the form of loans, repayable advances or subsidies and may not exceed 50% of the cost of operations. An amount of ECU 265 million has been earmarked for the programme for the 1996-2000 period. The programme will be open to the associated Central and East European countries, Cyprus, Malta, EFTA countries, members of the EEA Agreement and other non-Member States which have agreements with the European Union containing audiovisual clauses.