French state film body CNC will support the activities of Hamburg-based pan-European promotion agency European Film Promotion (EFP) in the second half of 2000 when France has the presidency of the European Commission.

CNC will support EFP's activities outside of Europe. The move was prompted by French culture minister Catherine Trautmann who recently called on the CNC to collaborate with EFP on strategy for a presence at the Karlovy Vary, Pusan and Toronto festivals.

Trautmann said one of her priorities is "promotion of European cinema outside the territory of the European Union." She also plans to channel funding towards distribution.

Commenting on Trautmann's initiative, EFP managing director Renate Rose said: "the French commitment shows that promotion is an integral element in the marketing chain of European films. We hope that in future the global promotion of European films will become an essential part of European cultural policy".