A joint letter from Ministers of Culture of Lithuania, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia on the funding rules for individual film festivals under the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027
TO: Ms. Mariya Gabriel Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Mr. Thierry Breton Commissioner for Internal Market
March 24, 2021 Dear Commissioners,
The European cultural and creative sectors have been closely following the last year negotiations on the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027. The seven-year budget of 2, 24 bln. EUR with a significant increase in comparison to the previous period, has been positively evaluated across Europe, as an achievement for the European culture and its diversity to boost recovery and strengthen resilience of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe, that have been severely affected by the on- going covid-19 pandemic. There are no doubts that every cultural and creative sector should benefit from the new Creative Europe Programme and its enlarged budget.
Taking into account the delayed adoption of the Regulation on the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027, we highly appreciate the parallel work on the 2021 annual work programme being done by the European Commission. We also welcome the opportunity for the representatives of the Member States and other countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme to receive necessary information on the upcoming annual work programme through the Informal Programme Management Committee. A concept of the 2021 annual work programme, which was presented in January, has already received a lot of positive remarks but also raised some concerns among the cultural and creative sectors.
Organisers of film festivals addressed us with their deep concerns regarding the funding of individual film festivals under the new Creative Europe Programme. Next to the uncertainty over practical information, for instance to what extent individual film festivals will be funded or how the whole application process will look, there are also concerns regarding legal matters. It is not clear in what ways a fair and objective distribution of the EU funding among members of the networks will be ensured and what control mechanisms to ensure financial and legal accountability of the networks will be put in place. New funding rules will likely create additional administrative burden to the industry and will demand extra financial resources. Consequently, this also may compromise the quality of the whole application and decision-making process as well as decrease funding to individual film festivals. It is not known how many networks of film festivals will redistribute EU funding taking into account their competence, internal rules of procedures and jurisdiction in which they operate. Meanwhile eligibility for the EU funding under the Creative Europe Programme being subject to membership to the networks of film festivals is a stand-alone question. Individual film festivals that do not belong to any of such networks should be given some time to establish natural connections with the networks to be able to access the EU funding.
Finally, a new role attributed to the networks of film festivals and its impact on the naturally formed cooperation between film festivals should be well assessed. Though European funding aims to foster cooperation, new requirements for MEDIA sub-programme funding, prioritization and institutionalization may have a negative impact on the existing relations between film festivals, weaken cooperation with the film festivals outside Europe or with the European festivals not eligible to apply for MEDIA sub-programme funding. Therefore, a new funding scheme should be adopted, only after careful examination of possible pitfalls, and only in such case where benefits outweigh costs.
Today we all agree on the need to provide the cultural and creative sectors with a clear, tailor- made and easy-to-access information on the available EU funding. Substantial decisions on the new support schemes under the Creative Europe Programme should be taken only after launching pilot projects, carrying out evaluation and discussions with the sector itself. We understand time constrains and challenges the European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency must meet this year. However, sharing of information and consultations with the sector on the near future changes to the funding rules of individual film festivals is crucial to achieve common understanding on the matter and agree on acceptable ways to implement the relevant provisions of the new Regulation of the Creative Europe Programme.
In our view, mere distribution of the funding of the Creative Europe Programme through the institutionalized networks of film festivals would not create a European added value as such, and it is the European cultural content that is a true European value and stimulates us to cooperate. Given the current global competition and challenges the European audiovisual content faces, we need to look ahead and seek new solutions to strengthen our voice and visibility within Europe and beyond. Nevertheless, the steps we take should be well-thought, and our cultural diversity should not be undermined.
The covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the European audiovisual sector. Since cultural venues have been closed and traditional film festivals could not be organised. Although some of film festivals moved online, this does not fully compensate the loss of their audiences and revenue. During these trying times, we should provide some security to minimise the shock that the sector suffered. We urge the European Commission: - not to take untested and premature decisions on the new funding scheme for individual film festivals under the Creative Europe Programme, - retain the traditional funding scheme providing support for individual film festivals, and additionally support their networks; and - launch a pilot project, monitor it and on the basis of its evaluation and consultation with the industry develop new funding rules encouraging cooperation, creation of true European added value and strengthening the European audiovisual sector.
Ministers co-signing this letter:
Mr. Simonas Kairys Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
Mr. Prodromos Prodromou Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus
PhDr. Lubomír Zaorálek Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic
Mr. Tõnis Lukas Minister of Culture of the Republic of Estonia
Mr. Nauris Puntulis Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
Dr. José A. Herrera Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government of the Republic of Malta
Mr. Jarosław Sellin State Secretary, Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport of the Republic of Poland
Ms. Natália Milanová Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Dr. Vasko Simoniti Minister of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia