Stranger things have happened but the US is not joining Eurimages any time soon. Susan Newman-Baudais, executive director of the Council of Europe’s development and production fund confirmed the speculation this week in Cannes.
The suggestion arose following rumblings of a US-Italy co-production treaty, which could pavethe way for further international treaties with the US.
One basic requirement for Eurimages membership is that the candidate country has a network of official coproduction treaties, hence the inclusion of Canada since 2022.
“Should such an interest be expressed, [Eurimages’ 39 member states] would be deciding if [US membership of Eurimages] would be beneficial to American independents producers and to the network of independent producers,” Newman-Baudais explained.
A further hurdle is that potential new members are expected to have a regulated funding system and a national film agency.
“There would have to be over a long period quite profound policy adjustments in the United States,” acknowledged Newman-Baudais.
She also confirmed there had been no further approaches from the UK about rejoining Eurimages, having left the organisation in 1996.
“We remain in very close contact with our UK colleagues,” said Newman-Baudais, and noted Eurimages “has seen a pattern of more production coming to us with the involvement of the UK Global Screen Fund. There is closer interaction with UK producers because of the support of the Fund and its openness to coproduction.”
With a budget of between €22m- €26m a year, Eurimages supports between 70- 100 features, including animation and documentaries and has supported 13 films in Cannes Official Selection.
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