WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3734/97 by Yves VERWAERDE to the Commission. EU support for film festivals and prizes
C 174/110 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 6. 98 (98/C 174/170) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3734/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997) Subject: EU support for film festivals and prizes Would the Commission supply me with figures for European Union support for film festivals and prizes? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998) The declining number of European films shown in commercial cinemas has prompted the Commission to provide support for film festivals in order to promote European films and encourage their circulation between Member States. The readiness of the festivals to apply European programming criteria has meant that the overall impact of this Community measure has been very positive: from 1992 to 1997, the European content of Community festivals went up by nearly 45% while the programmes of supported events were over 80% European. The European film festival coordination systemí, which has been set up under the Commissionís aegis for the purpose of carrying out joint activities to the exclusive advantage of European films and currently takes in some 125 festivals, also bears witness to the success of this measure. The steadily rising attendances at film festivals (20% a year, resulting in a total audience in the Member States of some 12 million in 1997) and the increasing number of such festivals (more than 600) make these events crucially important vehicles for the promotion of European films. Activities organised by these festivals to promote European films have mushroomed in recent years (competitions, contracts, distribution of prize- winning films). The festivals are also the main discovery grounds for new talent and virtually the only place where young people can learn an approach to the moving image other than that offered by television. Both locally and regionally, their economic and social impact is considerable as are their implications for employment (50 000 jobs every year). Since 1993, the Community has provided active support for these events under Budget Item B3-2011 as well as in the shape of calls for proposals. The following amounts have been granted (in ECU): Support for festivals (Total amounts) 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 655 000 800 000 845 000 1 210 829 1 629 495 Support for festivals (Events supported) Year Festivals Coordination Prizes Meetings 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 33 59 66 68 53 1 1 3 7 5 4 3 2 › › 5 5 8 5 1