AgoraEu announced: FIAD urges strong focus on film-av ecosystem & theatrical distribution

FIAD welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to increase the budget for the future Creative Europe programme - “AgoraEU” - but emphasises that support to the film and audiovisual ecosystem and theatrical distribution must remain at the heart of the future Programme

Brussels, 17 July 2025 – The International Federation of Film Distributors' and Publishers' Associations (FIAD) takes note of the European Commission’s proposed AgoraEU Programme for the post-2027 Creative Europe Programme, which introduces major structural changes to the Creative Europe Programme and the MEDIA Strand.

FIAD regrets that the European Commission has proposed to merge the Creative Europe Programme with the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV), despite the strong call from the Creative Sector to maintain Creative Europe as a standalone Programme.

FIAD recognises the value and importance of the CERV Programme. However, FIAD must express concern over the dilution of focus away from the film and audiovisual ecosystem, which risks undermining the long-standing and proven support to Europe’s film and audiovisual sector – particularly the theatrical distribution of non-national European films.

FIAD welcomes the European Commission’s decision to propose 8.5 billion Euros for the AgoraEU Programme. FIAD calls on the co-legislators to increase the share of the budget proposed for MEDIA+ and to ensure a strong focus on supporting the theatrical distribution of non-national European films.

FIAD is committed to working with the European Union institutions to ensure this Proposal delivers for the film and audiovisual ecosystem in Europe. 

FIAD Secretary General Robert Heslop commented:

“The MEDIA Strand within the Creative Europe Programme has been instrumental in supporting the efforts made by film distributors to connect European films with diverse audiences. We call on EU policymakers to maintain a strong and focused MEDIA+ Strand within the future AgoraEU Programme that enhances the competitiveness of theatrical distribution and promotes cultural diversity.”

EDITOR NOTE

FIAD represents national film distributor-publisher associations in 15 territories across Europe and one single company in one territory. Combined through its membership, FIAD represents over 200 film distributor-publisher companies that invest in and release films of all style and genre. 

• Austria - Film and Music Austria (FAMA)

• Belgium – Film Matters Belgium

• Denmark - Foreningen Af Filmudlejere (FAFID)

• Finland - Suomen Filmikamari ry (Filmikamari)

• France - Fédération Nationale des Editeurs de Films (FNEF)

• Germany - All Screens

• Malta - KRS Film Distributors LTD

• The Netherlands - NVPI Film

• Norway – Norske Filmdistributørers Forening (Norwegian Film Distributors Association)

• North Macedonia - Asocijacija na filmski distributeri na Makedonija (afidi)

• Spain - Federació de Distribuidores Cinematográficos (Fedicine)

• Sweden - Sveriges Filmuthyrareforening Upa

• Switzerland - Filmdistribution Schweiz (fds)

• United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland – The Film Distributors’ Association (FDA)

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For more information about FIAD and its activities visit the FIAD website here. 

FIAD is 100% financed by its members. FIAD receives no funding via the MEDIA Strand of the Creative Europe Programme.