WRITTEN QUESTION E-3686/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European film distribution aid.
Date: 2000-11-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, distributive trades, film industry

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/195

These figures are based on programming documents and execution reports. It should be remembered that
programme execution and consequently the take-up of funds will continue until the end of 2001.

Regarding the transfer of unused funds, the Honourable Member should refer to the joint answer given by
the Commission to Written Questions E-2705/99 and E-2706/99 from Mr Hudghton. (1)

The initial allocations to Member States under the FIFG for 2000-2006 are as follows:

(€ million at current prices)

Member State

Allocation

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

36,8

205,0

216,0

211,1

1 761,0

283,7

72,4

382,4

0,0

38,0

4,8

234,8

38,9

73,5

187,4

Total

3 745,8

These figures are based on programming documents only. It is still too early to assess the implementation
of these programmes, most of which have barely started. So far the Commission has not received any
execution or evaluation reports.

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000.

(2001/C 163 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3686/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 November 2000)

Subject: European film distribution aid

Rather than production aid, the European film industry needs subsidies to enable it to distribute and show
its films. Whereas Hollywood movies, which are handled by six or seven majors, reach all parts of Europe
at the same time, European films do not have the benefit of a unified system, even among the EU Member
States.

There is no Europe-wide distributor and consequently no EU policy providing for legislative measures in
support of European films. That is why, regrettably, American movies account for 82 % of the films that
go on release in Europe, whereas the figure 30 years ago was 35 %, and the European films which reach
the United States today account for just 1 % of film releases there.

C 163 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

Does the Commission therefore consider that it should propose an EU policy to promote the distribution
of European films and overcome the huge inequality in relation to American movies resulting from the
failure to deal properly with film distribution?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2001)

In reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question, the Commission would point out that, since 1991, it has
been pursuing an active policy, under the MEDIA I (1991-1995) and MEDIA II (1996-2000) programmes,
to support the distribution and screening of European films outside their main country of production. This
support is designed to increase the circulation and profitability of European films and to support common
strategies of the distributors of these films on the European market.

The evaluation of the MEDIA I programme and the interim evaluation of the MEDIA II programme
showed the positive influence of
including in terms of
organisation, on both the circulation of European films and the risks taken by distributors in their
campaigns to promote non-national European films.

the MEDIA programme,

the measures of

Since 1996 (when the MEDIA II programme entered into force), the number of European films distributed
outside their main country of production has risen by 85 % from 246 in 1996 to 457 in 1999. Over this
period, the number of people who saw these films increased by more than 20 million (20 %). It should be
noted that, of the 457 films shown in 1999, 287 (cid:129) or 62 % (cid:129) had received financial support from the
MEDIA II programme for their distribution. These 287 films were seen by more than 40 million people in
1999, in other words by over 90 % of the recorded number of people who saw non-national European
films in 1999.

Furthermore, the Community policy of support for the film industry, the transnational distribution of films
and the circulation of European works was strengthened with the adoption of the MEDIA Plus programme
(2001-2005), with a budget of € 350 million for measures to promote development, distribution and
promotion (57,5 % of which is expected to be devoted exclusively to support for the distribution of
audiovisual works), plus € 50 million for vocational training.

(2001/C 163 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3688/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 November 2000)

Subject: Consistency in the development aid provided by the EU Member States

According to studies by several NGOs, the individual Member States provide very unequal amounts of
development aid.

The 1 % of GDP allocated by Denmark is very different from Italy(cid:146)s 0,15 %. In some cases it might be said
that greater economic strength results in feebler aid.

Does the Commission think it appropriate to propose that the Member States standardise their develop-
ment aid and thus lay down a common minimum percentage of GDP to be used to eradicate poverty in
the world?