Preparatory action �Circulation of films in the digital era� � Call for proposals 2012

In October 2011, the European Parliament adopted a €2 million budget for the first year's operation of a preparatory action entitled ‘Circulation of films in the digital era’. The purpose of this action is to investigate innovative strategies for the dissemination of European films (cinema screenings, DVDs, video on demand, festivals, television channels, etc.).

The main aim is to establish conditions under which broadcasting media may more readily complement one another, so that European films can cross national borders more easily and reach a wider audience within the European Union.

The preparatory action will support projects designed to test the simultaneous (or virtually simultaneous) release of films across all media and in several European territories.

The projects — which will be restricted to European cinematographic works and to the distribution thereof within the EU Member States — must cover a significant number of films and territories.

This size-related parameter is essential if meaningful lessons are to be drawn from the preparatory action and if the latter is to be established as an aid to decision-makers within the public authorities and the European film industry.

Hence projects must also include the organisation — at the end of the action — of a public meeting at which the main results of the investigations carried out and the lessons drawn from them will be presented to film workers and public authorities.

In order to be eligible, proposals must be submitted by a consortium which meets the following three criteria:
— the consortium must include undertakings or organisations associated with the audiovisual markets (producers, sales agents, distributors, rights holders, marketing companies, cinemas, providers of video on demand, etc.),
— all the members (coordinators and partners) of the consortium must have their registered office in an EU Member State,
— the consortium must include at least two sales agents.

The budget available under this call is €1.994 million. The EU contribution will not exceed 70% of total eligible project costs.

The deadline for applications is 6 September 2012

Further details are available on the MEDIA website

Reference: 2012/C 93/10

(Added 2012-03-30)