The MEDIA Programme's exhibition initiative Europa Cinemas has added 171 screens in 28 European cities to its network, bringing the total number of screens getting support from MEDIA Plus for programming European films, to 896 in 356 cinemas located in 201 cities in 17 countries.

Combined with other similar cultural supporting bodies - such as the Euromed Audiovisual programme, Eurimages, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CNC - Europa Cinemas now extends to 1,109 screens in 457 cinemas located in 266 cities in 50 countries.

Meanwhile, in a survey of the network's programming during 2001, Europa Cinemas reported that 61% of the screenings were with European films - compared to 56% in 2000 - and, significantly, 38% were with non-home territory European films (35% in 2000).

Unsurprisingly, Amelie led the network's Top 10 European films - with 21,154 screenings -, followed by Billy Elliot (18,344), Bread And Tulips (15,571), Le Gout Des Autres (13,361), The Son's Room (13,158), Chocolat (13,065), Bridget Jones's Diary (12,836), Chicken Run (12,367), The Piano Teacher (10,378) and Tillsammans (10,143).