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Culture and Creativity

MEDIA programme (2007-2013)

What was it?

The MEDIA programme was an initiative that ran from 2007-2013 with a budget of €755 million to support projects and activities designed to support the development and distribution of thousands of films, as well as training activities, festivals, and promotion projects throughout the continent.

Why was it needed?

The MEDIA sector, as noted in the policy section, faces a variety of issues and challenges, some of which are best dealt with at an international level. To tackle some of the issues, the programme provided support to:

  • Strengthen the audiovisual sector
  • Increase the circulation of European audiovisual works inside and outside the European Union
  • Strengthen competitiveness by easing access to financing and promoting the use of digital technologies

What did it achieve?

The MEDIA programme supported a variety of activities, projects, and initiatives in the European audiovisual industry, including:

  • Training professionals
  • Developing production projects
  • Distributing films and audiovisual programmes
  • Promoting films and audiovisual programmes
  • Supporting film festivals
  • Promoting the use of new technologies

The programme additionally launched the MEDIA Mundus initiative, which explored ways of reinforcing global cooperation between EU and non-EU professionals from the audiovisual industry.

The programme also saw the creation of the MEDIA Films Database; an archive of films supported by the programme.

What are the next steps?

Although the MEDIA programme ended in 2013, many activities are set to continue under the Creative Europe programme, which provides opportunities in both the culture and audiovisual sectors.

Annual work programmes

Annual work programmes for the years 2011-2013 are available.

Tagged in:  Creative Europe