MEDIA

The creation and production of high-quality content is the foundation of the European audiovisual industry. As a reflection of European values, including its diversity, European works are recognized and rewarded on the global stage. Each year, MEDIA supports the development of over 400 European films, TV series, documentaries and videogames.

Focus on cross border cooperation

This cluster focuses on actions with a strong European added value to

• boost cross-border cooperation among producers and content developers
• stimulate innovation in terms of content, business models and technology

Specific supporting actions and their goals

Co-development
This action enables the scaling up of audiovisual projects and to allow producers from different countries to work together at development phaseread more

Slate development
This action incentivizes production companies to build a portfolio of 3 to 5 audiovisual works, increasing creative options and favoring quality. read more

Mini-slate development
This action responds to the specific needs of producers from lower capacity countries by encouraging a limited portfolio approach (2 to 3 audiovisual works). read more

TV and online content
This action provides opportunities to independent producers to take the initiative and pursue their own original productions. read more

Video games and immersive content development
This is to support the capacity of video game producers, extended reality studios and audiovisual production companies to develop high-quality works. read more

The business cluster under the MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe promotes business innovation, scalability and talents across the European audiovisual industry’s value chain.

This is needed because of the growth of global players in the sector and the digital transformation. Each year, the MEDIA sub-programme supports the training of over 2 400 professionals and the promotion and distribution of over 300 audiovisual works. 

Supporting competitiveness, talents and collaboration

Actions under this cluster aim to boost learning and knowledge sharing to allow the industry to go beyond its national territories. The main objectives of these actions are the following:

• nurture audiovisual talents with activities that have a strong focus on mentoring, digital and greening skills
• encourage business-to-business exchanges covering all parts of the value chain and aiming at global reach
• promote transnational distribution of content across borders and platforms

Specific supporting actions and their goals

European media talents and skills
This is to strengthen the capacity of audiovisual professionals to adapt to new creative processes and new business models. read more

Markets and networking
To encourage business-to-business opportunities and to facilitate co-productions and the circulation of European works in international markets. read more

European film sales
This is to foster the capacity of audiovisual content distributors to invest in the promotion of European works outside their territories. read more

European Film Distribution
This action fosters the capacity of audiovisual content distributors to invest in the promotion of European works outside their territories.

Innovative tools and business models
This action improves the visibility and availability of European audiovisual works and increase their audience in the digital environment through support to discoverability, sequencing of release windows, financing and territoriality, greening, etc.

MEDIA 360
This action supports initiatives varying from talent development, market access, dissemination of audiovisual works and innovative tools, which strategy brings a strong added-value and structuring effect for the whole European audiovisual industry. read more

The Audience cluster connects European audiovisual works with their audiences and support audience development across Europe and beyond. Each year, MEDIA supports over 1 100 cinemas in 34 countries and reaches 65 million people across borders.

Supporting audience growth on multiple platforms 

The sector has witnessed a progressive shift from cinema to platforms in the last years, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis. This cluster will support the audiovisual industry to seize and maximize the opportunities offered by the digital transition, to meet European audiences’ viewing habits.

The Audience cluster actions will support innovative ways of engaging with the audience in order to achieve the following:

• stimulate audience growth on all platforms
• engage with younger audiences through multiple educational and promotion tools
• ensure access to content through support to subtitling

Specific supporting actions and their goals

Network of European cinemas
This action promotes innovative approaches to the cinema experience that combines visibility for European works and the largest audience outreach. read more

European festivals
This action fosters the circulation and visibility of European audiovisual works outside their territories and increase audience outreach. read more

European Video-on-Demand (VOD) networks and operators
This action increase audiences for European works in European streaming platforms through incentives, curation of catalogues, collaborative projects and audience data analyses read more

Films on the move
This action supports the theatrical and online distribution of European films outside their territories. read more

Subtitling of cultural content
This action aims to ensure access to audiovisual content for all EU citizens and therefore increase the circulation of the European cultural programming across Europe.

Audience development & film education

This is to stimulate the interest of audiences, in particular young audiences, through audience-oriented events and innovative or cross-border film education initiatives. read more

Networks of European Festivals
This action supports collaboration among festivals, by pooling resources and expertise, to achieve common goals. read more

A common European approach to the main audiovisual policy issues is essential to consolidate the European audiovisual single market.  

Supporting the audiovisual industry

The aim of the policy support cluster is to promote a holistic European audiovisual policy through:

• regulatory dialogue
• sharing of analysis and data
• forward-looking intelligence on trends
• consultation with stakeholders
• promotion and outreach activities

Specific supporting actions and their goals

Data intelligence
Through this cluster Creative Europe finances studies on future trends of the audiovisual ecosystem in close cooperation with the European Audiovisual Observatory and the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services.

Policy exchanges and cooperation with Member States
Creative Europe facilitates information exchange in the areas of access to finance, digital and green transition, diversity and in the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

Communication, advocacy and engagement with industry
The purpose of this is to enable a structured dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders on strategic challenges facing the sector.

Audience outreach activities and awareness campaigns
The support to European Prizes such as the European Film Award and Lux Audience Award of the European Parliament, and to film heritage aims to showcase the current and past European gems to the wide audiences across borders.