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OBJECTIVES
1. To increase and diversify European programming in film theatres - particularly with regard to European non-national films - and to raise attendance at these films
2. To encourage exhibitors to develop European initiatives aimed at Young Audiences
3. To build up a network of theatres offering joint initiatives at both national and European levels
4. To encourage and promote the introduction of digital cinema in theatres
DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPORT
1. The main funding will range from € 15,000 for single-screen theatres to € 45,000 for multiplexes of 15 screens or more and will be distributed as follows:
- 80% for European non-national programming calculated on the basis of number of screenings
- 20% for the promotion of exhibitor initiatives aimed at Young Audiences. This support will be limited at € 5,000
- A bonus for diversity of programming can be added to this main funding
2. Support for activities in theatres aimed at Young Audiences will notably take account of specific programming in theatres, in terms of screenings and European films aimed at young viewers and school children, as well as exhibitors´ initiatives such as activities, publications, mailings, promotion for the relevant screenings and films and participation in joint activities developed at the national or local level (see the specific guidelines).
3. Support for joint initiatives within the network: this funding is intended to subsidize the financing of communication tools between theatres as well as promotional and informational activities implemented both nationally and at European level. It also sponsors initiatives that allow exhibitors to join the network on the basis of joint objectives at national and regional level. Europa Cinemas will coordinate these activities, which will be supported in equal shares by the European Commission and the theatres themselves.
4. Support for digital projection will be guaranteed to all theatres that can demonstrate they have a sufficient programming of European films screened with digital projectors of a minimum of 2K (see the specific guidelines).
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPA CINEMAS NETWORK
The network is open to film theatres which meet the following criteria:
- European commercial theatres that have been open to the public for at least six months and that operate with a box office system and declaration of revenues
- Minimum number of annual screenings for permanent theatres: 520
- A degree of deviation from this figure may be accepted for single-screen theatres operating in specific circumstances
- For open-air theatres, a minimum of 30 screenings a month is required
- Minimum number of seats per establishment: 70
- Minimum number of admissions over twelve months:
30,000 admissions in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Switzerland / 20,000 admissions in other countries
- Technical equipment which meets professional standards
- Safety conditions complying with national regulations
- Pornographic cinemas excluded
ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD FOR PROGRAMMING
A theatre or group of theatres must screen a minimum percentage of European Non-National films (SENN) in relation to its total screenings. This eligibility threshold varies according to the number of screens as specified in the following scale:
for single-screen theatres, a minimum of 25% to 30% SENN
for multiplexes with 2 to 5 screens, a minimum of 22% SENN for the entire cinema complex
for multiplexes with 6 to 9 screens, a minimum of 20% SENN for the entire complex
for multiplexes of 10 or more screens, a minimum of 15% SENN for the entire complex
- Theatres with 2 or more screens must attain a percentage of 35% SENN for the entirety of their projections to obtain the total support. If this figure is not reached and the theatre attains a SENN percentage superior to the threshold necessary for obtaining support, programming support will be calculated according to the number of screens that can demonstrate 35% SENN after compiling the results for the entire complex.
- If the threshold is reached, the amount of funding granted will also depend on the percentage of European screenings (SE) shown at the theatre.
- Also, the SENN should contain a minimum of 70% of 1st run films.
- The SENN must be distributed on, at least, 5 countries of origin. For single-screen theatres, 1 non-national country cannot count for more than 2/3 of the percentage. For multiplexes of 2 and more screens, 1 non-national country cannot count for more than the half of the percentage.
SCALE OF BONUS FOR DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMMING
In order to encourage exhibitors to diversify the range of countries of origin of their films, a bonus can be granted according to the number of European countries represented in the list of films screened.
The amount of the bonus will range from 1 to 20% of the support given to the programming and will be started if, at least, 11 nationalities are represented in the programming. To be taken into account, a nationality must have a minimum of 7 screenings.
DEFINITION
“European films” are cinematic works or feature films (including animated films) or documentaries, which are at least 60 minutes long and meet the following conditions:
- the work has been produced predominantly by a producer / producers established in the countries that participate in the MEDIA programme,
- the work has been produced with contributions from a significant number of professionals who are nationals of the countries that participate in the MEDIA programme.
European countries that participate in the MEDIA programme : Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.
Films from countries that have ratified the Council of Europe´s Convention on “Transfrontier Television” shall also be considered to be European films, in particular: Croatia, Moldavia, San Marino, Macedonia, Turkey, the Vatican.
Advertising films, pornographic and racist films, and films inciting to violence are excluded from this category.
SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES AIMED AT YOUNG AUDIENCES
Assistance for activities aimed at “Young Audiences” is intended to encourage exhibitor initiatives organized to attract young audiences and to increase attendance levels of these audiences at European films. Exhibitors are also encouraged to develop joint initiatives at national and/or European level (MovieZone, Ecran Large sur Tableau Noir, Collège au cinéma).
Funding will be granted to a theatre for two types of initiatives:
1. PROGRAMMING: regular programming of European films for Young Audiences.
2. ACTIVITIES: specific and regular activities by exhibitors. These can be in-house activities, publications, mailings, promotions targeted at young audiences combined to the participation in joint initiatives developed at national and/or European level.
See the specific guidelines
SPECIAL FUNDING CONDITIONS
Group agreements
Single-screen theatres or multiplex theatres located at different places in the same area and belonging to the same exhibition or programming entity shall be treated as a single establishment and hence grouped together in the same agreement.
Matching Fund
These amounts will be granted only if exhibitors invest at least equal amounts in programming and in the promotion of European non-national films. Amounts granted to theatres under the programming allocation may not exceed € 1 per admission to European non-national films.
DOWNLOAD THE DETAILED GUIDELINES
DOWNLOAD THE SUPPORT MEASURES FOR DIGITAL PROJECTION
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