Support measures

As cinemas are being increasingly digitised, digital distribution also covers theatrical distribution. The MEDIA 2007 Programme provides support under its various schemes in order to facilitate this effort:

• Selective and automatic schemes for theatrical distribution
• A specific scheme aims at facilitating the shift of cinema theatres to digital projection (digitisation of cinema theatres)
• Digital technology has made possible the development of European VOD services and of digital cinema distribution (Video on Demand and Digital Cinema Distribution)
• MEDIA may also support pilot projects in the field of digital distribution.

Preparatory action on circulation of European works

On 26 October 2011, the European Parliament adopted a budget of EUR 2 million for a first year of the Preparatory Action "Circulation of European films in the digital era". The aim of this action is to test the possible beneficial impact on a film's transnational circulation and global audience of simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous release on distribution platforms and in a number of territories. This action pursues three complementary and inseparable objectives:

• improving conditions for the circulation of European films within the European Union;
• increasing and expanding the global audience for European films;
• informing market players and decision makers of changes likely to improve complementarity between distribution platforms

The Commission published a call for proposals (EAC S05/2012) in the Official Journal on 30 March 2012 with a closing date for applications of 6 September 2012.

List of selected projects [22 KB]