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Home » Latest news » Commissioner Vassiliou celebrates MEDIA triumph at European Film Awards

Commissioner Vassiliou celebrates MEDIA triumph at European Film Awards

Roman Polanski's The Ghostswept the boards at the European Film Awards in Tallinn, Estonia, on 4 December, taking the prizes for European Film, European Director, European Actor (Ewan McGregor), European Scriptwriter (Robert Harris and Roman Polanski), European Production Designer (Albrecht Konrad) and European Composer (Alexandre Desplat). It was one of 18 nominated films at the ceremony supported by the European Union's MEDIA Programme, and has received over 500,000 to date in support. Four other MEDIA-backed films were also honoured, with Sylvie Testud winning the European Actress award for her role in Lourdes, Jaco Van Dormael's Mr. Nobodyreceiving the People's Choice Award, Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionisttaking the prize for European Animated Film, and Luc Barnier and Marion Monnier sharing the European Editor Award for Carlos. For full details of the winning films see the European Film Academy website.

Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for education and culture, was the guest of honour at this year's ceremony. "It was a great night for The Ghostand for the MEDIA Programme. I'm delighted that 10 out of 15 competition awards went to MEDIA films", she commented. "My congratulations to all the winners for an incredible harvest of creativity!"

18 out of the 30 films in competition at the European Film Awards received MEDIA support at a total of more than 4.5 million. The European Film Awards are organised by the European Film Academy, where more than 2,300 members voted for this year's winners.

There was also good news for the MEDIA Programme at the British Independent Film Awards, held on 5 December in London, where Jacques Audiard's Un prophète (A Prophet)received the accolade for Best Foreign Independent Film. The film has received over 750,000 from the MEDIA Programme to support its release across Europe, including a 100,000 award to Optimum Releasing, who released the film in the UK in January 2010. For full details about other winners see the British Independent Film Awards website.

Publication date: 07 Dec 2010