The UK's FilmFour, Pathe International, Bavaria Media and Adriana Chiesa Enterprises are among 18 European sales agents granted over Euros 700,000 in financial support by the European Union's MEDIA Plus programme to promote the trans-national distribution of European films.

MEDIA's sales agent support scheme works in two phases. Firstly, there is the generation of a potential fund available to each sales agent, which is calculated according to the performance of the company on the European market between 1997-2000. The amount generated must either be reinvested in minimum guarantees or advances paid for the international sales rights on new European films; or in the market promotion, marketing and advertising of new European films.

Meanwhile, over Euros 3.49m was awarded by MEDIA Plus in its selective distribution support scheme for Europe-wide theatrical releases of such films as Gosford Park, Asterix Et Obelix: Mission Cleopatre, Le Peuple Migrateur, The Others, Tanguy, Lovely Rita and L'Emploi Du Temps.