AgoraEU: European Film and Audiovisual Joint Statement • CICAE

The CICAE, together with a broad coalition of organisations from across the European film and audiovisual sector, has co-signed a joint statement addressing the European Commission’s proposed AgoraEU-MEDIA+ Programme.

Planned for 2028–2034, AgoraEU would merge existing funding frameworks, including Creative Europe MEDIA and CERV, into a single structure with expanded objectives and a significantly increased budget. While this signals a strong commitment to culture and media, it also raises concerns for the film sector — particularly regarding the allocation of funds within the new “MEDIA+” strand, which will extend beyond audiovisual works to include video games and news media.

Signatories emphasise that, despite this evolution, the programme must preserve the core mission of MEDIA: to support independent European cinema, safeguard cultural diversity, and ensure stable, transparent funding for the sector, including independent cinemas.

ATC – Audiovisual Training Coalition
CEE Animation – Central and Eastern Europe Animation
CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association
CICAE – International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas
Collective of Film Festivals
EPC – The European Producers Club
Eurocinema – Association de Producteurs de Cinéma et de Télévision
Europa Distribution – International Association of Independent Film Publishers and Distributors
Europa International – Association of European Film Sales Agents
FAME – Film and Audiovisual Markets in Europe
FERA – Federation of European Screen Directors
FIAD – International Federation of Film Distributors’ and Publishers’ Associations
FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations
FSE – Federation of Screenwriters in Europe
IVF – International Video Federation
UNIC – International Union of Cinemas
SAA – Society of Audiovisual Authors