The MEDIA Programme provides funding for independent European producers of audiovisual projects with a European dimension, both upstream of the production stage and during production. This section deals with support for slate funding for the development of drama, animation and creative documentaries. This is aimed at medium-sized companies with previous international experience and sufficient financial capacity to take on several projects at the same time.

Smaller companies with limited financial capacity should consider single project funding.

MEDIA can also help cover the costs of interactive works, guarantees and TV projects involving cooperation between broadcasters.

Key questions:

What's NEW?

The Guidelines are permanent since 2011 and have not, therefore, undergone any changes regarding eligibility. The only changes that have taken place followed the entry into force of the new Financial Regulation and its Rules of Application foreseen for 01/01/2013. They are detailed in the table at the beginning of the Guidelines.

When should you apply?

The Call for Proposals 31/2012 is open from the date of its publication in the Official Journal until 12/04/13. There are two deadlines: 23/11/2012 12:00 CET midday Brussels time and 12/04/2013 12:00 CEST midday Brussels time.

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted using the e-Form. The online submission is considered to be the master copy. However, 1 paper copy must be sent by registered mail or private courier together with additional annexes that are not attached to the e-Form (see the "check-list of documents to be submitted" with the information on the Call).

Pay attention: Online applications must be submitted using the e-Form by 23 November 2012 12:00 CET midday Brussels time (for the 1st deadline) and by 12/04/2013 12:00 CEST midday Brussels time (for the 2nd deadline). It is strongly recommended that you notto wait until the last minute to apply: the system will not let you submit an application after 12:00 CET/CEST midday Brussels time.

The submission confirmation will be sent to your email address immediately after a successful electronic submission.

Who is this funding for?

The support to a slate of projects is aimed at independent European production companies developing dramas, animations or creative documentaries, which have been legally registered for at least three years and already have international experience as well as the financial capacity to undertake more than one project simultaneously. If your company does not meet these criteria, you should apply for single project funding.

Which types of production are eligible for Slate Funding and Slate Funding 2nd stage?

Dramas, animations and creative documentaries (works that take a real-life subject as their starting point but require substantial original writing and set out an author's and/or director's point of view). All such works must be of a minimum length and the applicant company must hold the copyright.

What specific previous experience is your company required to have for Slate Funding 2nd stage?

Only companies already selected for Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 can apply for Slate Funding 2nd stage, if at least one of the included projects has entered into production. Beneficiaries of a Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage Agreement signed in 2012 cannot apply.

What specific previous experience is your company required to have in audiovisual production for Slate Funding?

Companies established in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom: companies submitting an application must prove that they have in the 5 years preceding their application completed two previous works.

Companies established in the other countries (countries with low audiovisual production capacity) must prove that they have in the 5 years preceding their application completed one previous work.

The company making an application must prove, in addition, that the previous work(s) has (have) been distributed commercially at international level in the 5 years preceding the application.

How much is a Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage grant worth?

The minimum grant is EUR 70,000. The maximum grant is EUR 190,000. Each project can receive between EUR 10,000 and EUR 60,000 provided the amount does not exceed 50% of the eligible costs of the project.

What is the total EU budget?

For 2013, the budget allocated to co-financing Slate Funding/Slate Funding 2nd stage is estimated to be EUR 10.75 million.

When will the results of the selection procedure be known?

For the 1st deadline (applications sent between the publication of the Call for Proposals and 23/11/12), applicants will be informed of the results during the month of April 2013.

For the 2nd deadline (applications sent between 24/11/12 and 12/04/13), applicants will be informed of the results during the month of September 2013.

How likely are you to receive funding support for a Slate of Projects?

Project applications received by the Agency are ranked by merit at the end of the selection procedure. The best are awarded funding within the limit of the available budget. Under the last Call for Proposals (21/2011), 172 applications for a slate of projects were received, of which 63 were selected.