Networks of Cinemas

Current call: 03/2008

Deadlines:

31 Oct 2008

expired

Overview
Eligibility
How to apply

European exhibitors do not apply to MEDIA directly, but join the MEDIA-supported network called Europa Cinemas. The purpose of the network is to boost programming of European films with a special emphasis of non-national European titles.

The Commission publishes a Call for Proposals every two years where the applicants are networks of cinemas, such as Europa Cinemas, who themselves are recipients of MEDIA funding and serve then as a re-distribution device for the Commission's funds.

Apart from funding, members of the network enjoy a range of other benefits including the opportunity to get together and discuss common issues at annual conferences. The network also helps with the promotion of European films by, amongst other things, awarding the Europa Cinemas Label to certain titles at European festivals.

Europa Cinemas has also received additional funds from the MEDIA Programme to support digital projection in member cinemas.

In 2010 45 screens in the UK were Europa Cinemas members and they received €888,000 support, including €203,000 for digital screenings.

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, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
20,000 admissions in other countries
Technical equipment which meets professional standards
Safety conditions complying with national regulations
Pornographic cinemas excluded.

There are also minimum programming requirements, which you can read about in more detail in the guidelines found on the Europa Cinemas website. To summarise:

the single screen cinema must undertake to programme at least 25% non-national European films. This percentage decreases to 15% for multiplexes over 13 screens.
Screenings of non-national European films must include at least five different countries of origin for single-screen cinemas, six for 2- to 5-screen multiplexes and at least nine different countries of origin for complexes with more than five screens
At least 70% of total European non-national screenings must be first-run films (exceptions apply).

Please read the Guidelines before completing the application documents: