News

Europa Cinemas is pleased to announce that the Call for applications of Collaborate to Innovate 2022 is now open.

This scheme, initiated with the support of Creative Europe/MEDIA in 2021, aims to reward outstanding innovative and collaborative projects implemented by several member cinemas from the same country or across borders at European level.

In 2021, for the first call for applications, EUROPA CINEMAS received 32 applications and 15 exciting new projects (CTI – List of selected projects 2021) representing 114 film theatres were supported for a total of €1 Mio. Coming from 13 European countries, these projects cover a diverse range of issues, including young audience development, customer management software, data analysis, streaming and multi-platform releases, digital marketing, enhanced cinema and social experiences as well as green working practice. Each individual project has set out its own measurable objectives and targets and their work will be analysed and shared across the network for further development.

In 2022, the Collaborate to Innovate budget will amount €2 Mio.

Collaborate to Innovate particularly seeks to support projects which have the potential to inspire other exhibitors in the network and beyond. Successful projects will need to offer evidence of potential impact on the film sector in areas such as the promotion, circulation and visibility of European films; audience development and young audience growth in particular; and enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of cinemas in their own markets and communities.

Among the main priorities of the scheme will be social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Europa Cinemas' financial contribution will be a maximum of €100,000 per project and will not exceed:

• 70% of overall investments for projects submitted mainly by applicants from A and B countries (see guidelines), and where the main expenditure of the project will be in A and B countries.
• 80% of overall investments for projects submitted mainly by coordinators and partners from C and D countries.

The call for applications is presently open and exclusive to members of the network. Collaborate to Innovate is a great opportunity to highlight the diversity, vitality and creativity of your work, projects and cinemas!

If you plan to implement new and original initiatives aiming at developing new audiences (particularly young ones), using new digital technologies, improving environmental sustainability, contributing to social cohesion within your structure or in your communities, etc., please go ahead and send us your application!

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Watch the video of the Collaborate to Innovate Guidelines presented by Michael Gubbins during our zoom online workshop here:

To support the Call for Applications 2022 and help exhibitors shape their project bids, Europa Cinemas hosted an Online Workshop on Thursday, 20th January 2022 – 11:00am to 1:00pm (CET)

Moderated by Michael Gubbins (Consultant, Sampo Media), this Zoom Session allowed exhibitors to raise questions about the program's Guidelines, the application process, the procedures and rules to follow. The floor was given to participants of projects selected in 2021 who shared their experience in setting up and developing their projects with partners within the same country or at a European level.

This session offered simultaneous translation in 5 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

If you were unable to attend this meeting, or need any additional information or clarification, please check the FAQs and the Collaborate to Innovate page or contact us: collaboratetoinnovate@europa-cinemas.org.

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Collaborate to Innovate is also on Facebook!

Join the project and follow the network members in their discussions on the dedicated Facebook group. This group will offer you the opportunity to exchange and collaborate closely with exhibitors from the Europa Cinemas network, to develop new ideas together, and to actively integrate innovation in cinemas all over Europe.

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