FIAD calls on rejecting major AgoraEu budget cut
FIAD has joined 15 organisations representing Europe’s cinema and audiovisual sectors in a joint statement calling on EU Member States and the Irish Presidency
to reject the proposed cuts to AgoraEU under the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.
From 2028, the proposed AgoraEU will bring together the current Creative Europe programme (Culture, MEDIA and cross-sectoral strands) and CERV. It will be home to the MEDIA programme, the EU’s dedicated support for film and audiovisual works.
According to the press, the 4% reduction proposed under the Cypriot Presidency has now increased to a proposed 30% cut under the Irish Presidency, for a proposed total of €6.0 billion against the Commission’s initial plan €8.58 billion, in current prices. The overall EU budget faces a reduction of around 8%. AgoraEU would therefore carry a cut almost four times larger.
For distributors, MEDIA support is what makes it possible to acquire, release and promote non-national European films in cinemas across Europe. The sector has assessed that a distinct film and audiovisual MEDIA strand needs a minimum of €3.5 billion. That amount would protect what has been built over 35 years and keep European works circulating. It is consistent with the amendments FIAD and six partner organisations proposed in June on the CULT/LIBE draft report, which called for at least 33% of the programme to be allocated to MEDIA.
FIAD will continue to engage in the negotiations with its members and partners ahead of the European Council discussions.
The full joint statement is available below. Follow FIAD page for more.
Signatories: ATC – Audiovisual Training Coalition; CEE Animation; CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association; CICAE – International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas; Collective of Film Festivals; EPC – The European Producers Club; Eurocinema; Europa Distribution; Europa International; FERA – Federation of European Screen Directors; FIAD – International Federation of Film Distributors’ and Publishers’ Associations; FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations; FSE – Federation of Screenwriters in Europe; IVF – International Video Federation; SAA – Society of Audiovisual Authors; UNIC – International Union of Cinemas.
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