4,700 Film Professionals Urge EU to Strengthen Funding for Cinema in Open Letter

More than 4,700 film professionals, including notable figures such as Francis Ford Coppola, Juliette Binoche, and Joachim Trier, have signed an open letter urging the European Union to safeguard film funding across the continent. The letter emphasizes the critical role of the MEDIA program, which has been instrumental in supporting thousands of films over its 35-year history.

Call for Future-Proofing Cinema Support

Titled “Europe needs cinema, Cinema needs Europe,” the letter calls on the EU to ensure that support for cinema is “future-proofed” under the MEDIA program. This initiative has historically provided essential funding for acclaimed European films, including recent Oscar winners like Anatomy of a Fall and The Favourite. The signatories highlight that, “Thanks to MEDIA, Europe wins an Oscar almost every year.”

AgoraEU Proposal and Budget Concerns

The open letter coincides with discussions among EU Member States regarding the AgoraEU plan, which aims to consolidate funding for culture, media, and civil society into a single budget. This plan proposes merging the MEDIA program with a new Media+ division, which would encompass funding for video games, journalism, and other media sectors. The European Commission has suggested a budget of €8.6 billion ($10 billion) for AgoraEU from 2028 to 2034, while the European Parliament has advocated for an increase to €10.7 billion ($12.6 billion). This significant funding has sparked debates within the film, television, and media industries about budget allocation.

European film professionals are demanding assurances that funding for cinema will be preserved within the AgoraEU budget and not redirected to other sectors.

The Importance of MEDIA

The letter underscores the MEDIA program’s vital contributions to the European film landscape. It has supported the development of European stories from script to screen, facilitating independent production and enhancing training for industry professionals. The signatories assert that without the MEDIA program, the diversity and richness of European cinema would be at risk.

The letter states, “For over 35 years, [MEDIA] has been supporting the creation of European stories… We, European cinema professionals and citizens – all cinema lovers – call upon the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to future-proof the success and integrity of the vital and precious MEDIA program and reinforce its resources.”

Upcoming Decisions and Industry Impact

EU Member States are expected to adopt their initial position on the AgoraEU proposal on May 12, coinciding with the opening day of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Several directors participating in this year’s Cannes competition have added their names to the open letter, including Pawel Pawlikowski and Lukas Dhont. The ongoing debate surrounding MEDIA and AgoraEU is anticipated to dominate discussions among European film professionals and independent producers at the festival.

The Cultural Significance of Cinema

The letter articulates the profound cultural significance of cinema in Europe. It emphasizes that cinema is not merely an art form but a vital medium that fosters empathy and collective experience. The signatories argue that the political choice to support cinema is essential for preserving diverse European voices and narratives.

The letter further states, “In Europe, the political choice for cinema… is the MEDIA programme. Just as the idea of Europe itself is a unique project, the idea of the MEDIA programme is to sustain diverse European voices in a common house.”

The Challenges Ahead

Despite its successes, the MEDIA program represents only 0.2% of the EU’s budget, a stark contrast to the 32% allocated to the common agricultural policy. The letter highlights that while MEDIA has been a success story, the funding is insufficient to meet the challenges facing European cinema today.

The letter notes, “Thanks to MEDIA, works that nurtured the growth of Ruben Östlund or Justine Triet travelled the world.” It also mentions that the voices of exiled and oppressed filmmakers, such as Jafar Panahi, have been able to reach global audiences due to this support.

A Call to Action

As the European Union revises its policies to ensure the future of cinema, the letter serves as a rallying cry for film professionals and citizens alike. It stresses the need for a renewed commitment to artistic creation as a cornerstone of democracy and shared values in Europe.

The letter concludes with a powerful reminder: “Without MEDIA, we would all be a little less European.”

As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.

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Published on 2026-05-08 13:31:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk