Filmmakers Urge EU to Protect MEDIA

The European Commission proposes merging the 35-year-old MEDIA program into a Media+ strand within an “AgoraEU” framework that would pool media and funding. The plan earmarks €8.6 billion for AgoraEU in the 2028-2034 MFF, while Parliament’s April consultation suggests €10.7 billion. Member states will adopt a position on 12 May, Cannes opening day.

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Since its launch under Creative Europe, the MEDIA program has provided funding for script development, production, distribution and professional training, supporting independent European producers. The proposed AgoraEU budget of €8.6 billion (or €10.7 billion per Parliament) does not specify the film share, while over 4,700 cinema professionals have signed an appeal to protect the program.

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An open letter, titled “Europe needs cinema, Cinema needs Europe,” is signed by over 4,700 professionals, including Juliette Binoche, Francis Ford Coppola, Joachim Trier, Ruben Östlund, Stellan Skarsgård, Sandra Hüller, Vicky Krieps, and filmmakers.

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Supporters say the MEDIA program sustains European voices, underpins values, democracy, soft power, and provides training pathways for filmmakers. Critics warn that merging it with video-games, news media and journalism could dilute its focus and that the proposal offers no guarantee of funding levels or objectives for audiovisual projects.

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The Commission frames AgoraEU as an umbrella for culture and media spending; the Parliament’s consultation stresses a higher budget but provides no film-specific allocation. The open letter urges the Commission, Parliament and Member States to “future-proof the success and integrity of the precious MEDIA program and reinforce its resources.” The lack of a fund breakdown and an implementation timetable for Media+ leaves the level of support for independent cinema unclear.

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• “Just as the idea of Europe itself is a unique project, the idea of the MEDIA program is to sustain diverse European voices in a common house.” — Open Letter, signatories

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• “For over 35 years, it has been supporting the creation of European stories from script development to production by independent production companies, the releases in theatres and online, festivals, professionals’ training and upskilling.” — Open Letter, signatories

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• “We, European cinema professionals and citizens – all cinema lovers – call upon the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to future-proof the success and integrity of the vital and precious MEDIA program and reinforce its resources.” — Open Letter, signatories

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• “There are no shared values, no democracy, and no European soft power, without artistic creation.” — Open Letter, signatories

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Parliament suggests €10.7 billion, the Commission proposes €8.6 billion, and the plan provides no detail on film allocation or implementation timing.

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Member states will vote on a position on 12 May, Cannes opening day, where MEDIA program’s future will dominate discussion. The signatories’ campaign seeks to preserve resources for European cinema within forthcoming AgoraEU structure.

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