Request for Proposals: Networks of European Cinemas

Objectives

• The aim of the support is to create and operate a network of cinemas with a view to:
  • Encourage cinema operators to screen a significant proportion of non- national European films through incentives and collaborative projects;
  • Contribute to raise and increase the interest of the audience for non-national films including through the development of activities for young cinema-goers;
  • Help those cinemas to adapt their strategy to the changing environment including by promoting innovative approaches in terms of audience reach and engagement, as well as partnerships with other film industry operators as well as with local cultural institutions;
  • Encourage exchange of best practices, knowledge sharing and other forms of cross border collaboration amongst members of the network
  • Contribute to the policy dialogue on the film industry by collecting data and disseminating the outcome of the activities of the network beyond its members.

Scope

• The action will support a network of European cinema operators, with a broad geographic coverage, screening a significant proportion of non-national European films for an increased audience and a renewed cinema going experience, fostering the role of European cinemas in the circulation of European works. The aim is to increase audiences for European works through incentives and collaborative projects. Funding will promote innovative approaches that combine visibility for European works and the widest audiences.
• Applications should present adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.

Funding Information

• Available Budget: EUR 15 500 000.
• Duration: Projects should normally not exceed 21 months.

Description of the activities to be funded under the call for proposals

• Cinemas’ network should enable the following activities:
  • Networking activities: information, animation, training and communication in view of increasing the audience reach and implementing innovative and collaborative actions including areas with low screen density.
  • Provide financial support to participating cinemas implementing eligible activities listed below:
    • Actions aiming at promoting and screening European films and increasing the audience for non-national European films and contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally respectful industry.
    • Innovative activities aiming at reaching new audiences and raising interest among young cinemagoers for European films by renewing and enriching the cinema experience including in areas where cinema infrastructures are poorly developed.
    • Harnessing the digital transition, including online tools and data applications.
    • Adjusting the business practices of European cinema theatres in terms of sustainability, inclusion and accessibility.
    • Promotion and marketing activities in cooperation with other distribution platforms (e.g. TV broadcasters, VOD platforms).

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • Creative Europe Participating Countries:
      • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
      • non-EU countries:
        • listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Creative Europe Programme

For more information, visit EC.