The Screen Podcast delves into the thorny future of Creative Europe in its latest episode, before James McAvoy reminisces about being picked as a Screen Star of Tomorrow, and we assess the industry chatter around next year’s TIFF Market.

Watch above on video, or listen to below.

First, Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell, editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt explain why European independent producers are so concerned about the European Commission’s proposed replacement for the Creative Europe programme, called Agora EU and set to begin in 2028. While current proposals promise an increase in funding, the long-running programme would also be merged with the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme to support news media – and how that funding will be split is yet to be clarified.

“Creative Europe has been such a bedrock for the entire European screen audiovisual industries since the ’90s. It’s helped build what the current European film industry is,” says Mueller.

“It’s not production specific, but at the same time, you could argue it helps the whole production ecosystem. And that’s why people are concerned by the decision to potentially split that money between audiovisual screen sectors and also news media journalism. They haven’t specified so far is how much is going go to the audiovisual sectors. And I think that’s why people are a little bit concerned.

Tutt adds: “I think one of the reasons why producers are reacting very strongly to this and reacting as early as possible is that it’s part of a bigger conversation about the diminishing value of independent producers by the rest of the industry. I mean, just look at how many vanity producer credits there are now on films and TV series.”

“The direction of travel seems to be more towards creating bigger players who can compete in the international landscape against the US giants,” says Mueller, “and less towards the sort of arthouse independent production that has traditionally been supported [by Creative Europe]. So that clarity doesn’t exist now.”

The discussion is followed by Screen reporter Ellie Calnan’s trip down memory lane with James McAvoy as the actor and director reminisces about being selected as a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2004 (this year’s edition launched today). The pair also discuss McAvoy’s directorial debut California Schemin’, concerns for young actors entering the industry today, and why Scotland needs more diversity in its film output.

Finally, Mitchell is joined by Screen’s Americas editor Jeremy Kay to talk through this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, including the lack of deals and industry chatter around the festival’s new 2026 market.

“TIFF are not telling us too much about [the new market],” says Kay. “It’s not just a sales market, it will be immersive, AI, co-productions. We have heard ominous grumblings about the costs - if you are a seller and already taking up an office in a hotel, why do you want to pay more money for a badge? There’s a lot that needs to be worked out.” 

The Screen Podcast is produced and hosted by Wendy Mitchell and edited by Ellie Calnan. New episodes every other Thursday.

To download or subscribe to future episodes, search for ’The Screen Podcast’, which is available on:

For editorial enquiries about The Screen Podcast, please email matt.mueller@screendaily.com  and indiewendy@gmail.com;  for sponsorship opportunities, please contact scott.benfold@screendaily.com.

Topics