European Film Promotion (EFP) is pleased to announce financial contributions by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union towards its events and activities in 2008. In its role as a pan-European promotional organisation, EFP has developed a strong partnership with the MEDIA Programme which has been an on-going supporter of EFP’s activities over the past ten years. Since the creation of EFP in 1997, the network has greatly increased its ability to effectively promote European films and their up-and-coming talent globally.

MEDIA’s support is two-fold. EFP will receive 550,000 € for promotional Events and Activities inside Europe and 624,000 € for events and activities outside Europe, including Film Sales Support (FSS). The financial support covers up to 50% of EFP’s expenses. The events are jointly co-financed by EFP’s 27 EFP member organisations, as well as by public funds and private sponsors.

In 2008, EFP will organise eleven promotional events. Additionally, EFP continues to offer Film Sales Support (FSS), an initiative successfully launched in 2004.The scheme complements EFP’s existing activities by helping European sales agents market their films at seven selected international film festivals. FSS lays special emphasis on the markets of North and South America as well as East Asia to propel the visibility of European film. FSS is simple but effective. It offers maximum grants of 5,000 € per film per festival to cover 50% of the costs for promotional activities undertaken at the festivals by the sales representatives.

According to Claudia Landsberger, EFP President: “The Media Programme has been our natural ally and supporter of our activities since the beginning. Without its support, EFP would never have been able to help European films and producers cross so many borders. Our creativity and innovation has helped to heighten the awareness for our films and film makers and increased their visibility. Film festivals and markets are strong partners with whom we have forged alliances to help our films find their audiences. Over the past years, our efforts have proved to be an important element in increasing the visibility of European cinema, and we deeply appreciate MEDIA's commitment to these goals.”

EFP’s 2008 Events and Activities inside Europe, backed by Media with 550,000 €

1. SHOOTING STARS at the Berlin International Film Festival 2. Touring SHOOTING STARS Film Programme at three international film festivals in Europe 3. PICTURE EUROPE! The Best of European Cinema 4. PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE at the Cannes International Film Festival 5. VARIETY CRITICS’ CHOICE: EUROPE NOW! at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 6. Spotlight on Distributors at the San Sebastian International Film Festival

EFP’s 2008 Events and Activities outside Europe, backed by Media with 624,000 €

1. Film Sales Support (FSS) at the:
- Sundance Film Festival (18 - 28 January 2007)
- Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata (8 -18 March 2007)
- Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara, Mexico (22-30 March 2007)
- Shanghai International Film Festival (16 - 24 June 2007)
- Toronto International Film Festival (6 -15 September 2007)
- Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (September/ October 2007, tba)
- Pusan International Film Festival (4-14 October 2007)

2. Additional activities to FSS at the Toronto International Film Festival 3. Additional activities to FSS at the Pusan International Film Festival 4. Activities at the Independent Buenos Aires International Film Festival 5. Umbrella Office at the American Film Market 6. EFP Industry Screenings New York

Arnaud Pasquali, Head of Promotion & Training sectors of the MEDIA programme of the European Union comments: "FSS has proved to be a simple and efficient tool to support the presence of European films and professionals at major international festivals. Nearly all major European sales companies have used this mechanism to increase the visibility of sometimes difficult European films which would not have necessarily been promoted outside of Europe otherwise. The MEDIA programme whose objectives include the promotion of European works worldwide has supported the development of this EFP initiative since the beginning and is happy to renew its support for a fifth year."