Podgorica, 8 September 2016 – Montenegro, through its participation in the EU’s MEDIA subprogramme, has a chance to compete for part of a total budget of €800 million for the period 2014–2020. Through this subprogramme, which is a part of the wider Creative Europe programme, the EU is providing funding for films with a European dimension, fostering the development of new technologies, helping films to find new markets beyond national and European borders, supporting schemes for audience development, the training of professionals, etc. “The opportunities afforded by MEDIA are numerous, and stronger participation by the Montenegrin audio-visual sector is necessary and desirable, particularly with a view to further development and integration of the local cinema into European and international trends”, Ilija Subotic, coordinator of the MEDIA sub-programme and adviser for audio-visual activities in the Ministry of Culture, said at the MEDIA info day held in the EU Info Centre.
The representative of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Patrick Schmelzer, said that in the last 25 years, the MEDIA subprogramme has helped in the creation of many gems of European cinema. Forty films financed by this fund have received the Palme d’Or, the Grand Prix or Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival, while for four years in a row films funded by the MEDIA sub-programme have won Oscars for best foreign film.
“I am very pleased that Montenegro has become a part of this programme which has achieved such great results. I hope that in years to come, we will see Montenegrin films at Cannes and other important festivals”, said Schmelzer.
The special guest at the info day was Sabina Briski, head of the MEDIA sub-programme in the Republic of Slovenia. She conveyed to interested Montenegrin filmmakers Slovenia’s experience of participating in competitions for the development of individual film projects, as well as supporting festivals, while focusing special attention on schemes for professional training and networking opportunities.
The Republic of Slovenia is one of the leaders in the SEE countries when it comes to securing support from the MEDIA sub-programme. This comes from having 13 years’ experience of participating in MEDIA, during which time the Slovenian film sector has received €4.8 million for its projects.
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