This weekend, the European Union (EU) member states, under the presidency of the UK, agreed a financial framework for the EU from 2007 to 2013.
The European Producers Associations Alliance (EPAA) says the amount dedicated to culture is inadequate.A maximum of $625m (Euros 520m) has been set aside annually for the sectors of Culture, Youth, Audiovisual, Public Health and Consumer Protection.
"This amount is less than half of what had been proposed by the Commission, after a first compromise," the Alliance declared before the deal was ratified at the weekend.
It claimed that agreeing to such a budget "would mean that the MEDIA Programme would be reduced in real terms."
The 25 members of the European Film Agencies Directors, including France's CNC, the UK Film Council and the German Federal Film Board, have also voiced their concerns.
The bodies issued a common statement drawing the attention of the national governments and members of the European Parliament "to the necessity to fully taking into account the importance of the MEDIA Programme, to assessing the need to implement new measures as of 2007, for example, in the digital area, and consequently to giving the programme appropriate financial means in this respect (i.e. regarding the enlargement of the EU)."
Over the six years of the current MEDIA Plus, from 2001 to 2006, the programme has had a budget of $616m (Euros 513m) for 15 countries.
The European Commission had proposed a budget of $1.2bn (Euros 1bn) for the next MEDIA Programme for seven years from 2007 to 2013 to support the audiovisual industry in 25 (later 27 including Bulgaria and Romania) countries.
Even if the proposed $625m (Euros 520m) was divided equally among the sectors, this would still mean a real reduction in funding for the MEDIA Programme as it would not be the only beneficiary in the Audiovisual sector.
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